The Mets completed a three-game road sweep with an 8-2 victory over the fellow 2017 disappointment San Francisco Giants. And the win came courtesy of two very unlikely heroes – Rafael Montero who pitched nearly six solid innings, and backup catcher catcher Rene Rivera who slugged not one, but two home runs.
Montero went 5.2 innings, allowing just one run while striking out seven. It was easily his best outing of the season. The bullpen took it from there, allowing just one run in an ugly eighth inning that easily could have been worse. Aside from Rivera’s two home runs, the Mets also got offensive contributions from all over. Curtis Granderson, Asdrubal Cabrera, Jay Bruce, Wilmer Flores, Lucas Duda, T.J. Rivera and Rene Rivera each contributed two hits apiece. Among them were home runs by Bruce and Granderson, and doubles by Flores and Duda. Fueled by 14 hits, seven walks two hit batters, and a Giants error, the Mets easily could have scored twice as many runs had they not left so many on base. But thanks to Montero and the bullpen, eight was enough.
Chasen Bradford made his Mets debut with a scoreless ninth inning in mop-up duty.
The only blemish on this series sweep afternoon was an apparent injury to Michael Conforto who had to exit the game after being hit by a pitch on the hand. Stay tuned for the x-rays.
The Mets have the day off tomorrow and will resume this easy stretch of schedule on Tuesday with a pair of three-game series against the Marlins and then Phillies. Let’s go Mets!
It was good to bounce back and beat the Giants. Mets finished 3-4 on the West Coast part of the trip and they have an opportunity to come out .500 or better overall on the 10-game road trip.
I’m not going to get too excited about a win over the Giants. But boy it was nice to see Montero throwing sliders inside to lefty hitters today. It’s not a great pitch by any means but just something to break up the constant flow of low and away was a welcome sight.
Still not a fan of using 5 relievers for 3.1 IP.
Montero pitched good and should have at least been given the opportunity to finish the sixth inning as he induced a pop up double play to clear him from of the jam he was in. Bruce and Duda are in the midst of a good season. It is the pitching that has failed this team. Three in a row ! Now they need two out of three to catch the Marlins.
‘Twas Montero’s change up, that dipped down that was also impressive!
Perhaps one reason 5 relievers were used was to just get a bit of work in for them, today is an off day and deGrom previously had gone 8 innings so maybe some of the staff needed a little work.
Thank god Conforto didn’t break his wrist.
+1
I just hope Gsellman can get it together and not mess up what little momentum we have.