Put it in the books..twice! The Mets swept the day-night double header in Atlanta, taking the night cap 8-1 behind the dazzling return of Steven Matz. In his 2017 debut, the young lefty tossed seven strong innings, allowing one run in his final inning of work. He only struck out two, but Matz limited the Braves to just five hits and one walk over his efficient 98-pitch outing.
The Mets offense did the rest with a four-hit game for Wilmer Flores, a three-run home run from Jay Bruce and a pinch hit two-run shot by T.J. Rivera. Including the first game of the double header, Flores totaled six hits to bring his batting average up to an eye opening .333. Neil Walker contributed two hits, Juan Lagares a two-run double, and even Jose Reyes woke up to contribute a hit, a walk, and a stolen base. Braves’ starter Matt Wisler wasn’t bad, but our old friend Eric O’Flaherty, who mysteriously still collects a Major League paycheck, brought his gas can to the mound, surrendering four runs on six hits in less than two innings.
With a 4-1 lead entering the 8th, Terry Collins thought to give the usual suspects a break and handed the ball off to Neil Ramirez and Tyler Pill, who shocked the world with a combined two scoreless innings to close out the game. Meanwhile the Mets added four insurance runs to make it an 8-1 victory. The only Met who had a rough day was Lucas Duda, who not only got the infamous Golden Sombrero in the night cap, but struck out as a pinch hitter in game one to go a combined 0 for 6 with five strikeouts, stranding nine runners on base in the process. Michael Conforto also went hitless on the day, but did manage to draw four walks.
The Mets close out the four-game series tomorrow afternoon with Seth Lugo making his 2017 debut against Jaime Garcia.
This was the best day of the 2017 season for the Mets and their fans. The cavalry has arrived and now it’s time for a win streak.
It is now four well pitched games for the starters !!! It is all about the pitching.
Matz was superb. Flores is on fire. Almost 26 YOA and putting together a run that may define and launch his career as an everyday player. The development has been interesting to watch and should not be ignored.I am rooting for him to succeed.
It is unfortunate to see TJ Rivera sent down. I like the way he attacks the ball as a pinch hitter. He has outplayed Reyes but it is difficult to cut a popular player, especially for a TJ Rivera. That will all change with the imminent Rosario promotion. I would have kept Pill and optioned Smoker. Pill could be used as another long relief man to eat some innings in losing games. The pen needs innings not arsonists.
Matt, it was indeed a very nice day in Metland. Scripted perfectly like originally planned.
They’re keeping Reyes because he can play SS….and they’re sending TJ down because they can—and he’s getting Zero Ab’s.
They can get very shorthanded on the bench and IF—- I’m counting 4 Infielders: Walker, Azdrubal, Reyes, and Flores.
They have Bench Bats: 2 Outfielders, 1 infielder, and a Catcher.
72 pitchers.
Eraff and Metsense – wish I could have been a fly on the wall. Wouldn’t you think the idea of DFAing Reyes has to have been at least brought up? Maybe that weighs into the hesitation to bring up Rosario.