On Tuesday, the Mets defeated the Texas Rangers by a score of 5-4. They were led by an onslaught of home runs, and a strong outing by starter Chris Flexen. Flexen, who had not made it past three innings pitched yet, went 5.2 innings. Over that span, he was charged with three runs, while allowing four hits and striking out four. This was without a doubt his best major league start, and it came in his first home start. Once again though, Flexen had some command issues, evidenced by his three walks. With his first solid outing, Flexen lowered his season ERA to 8.49. It should have the opportunity to be lowered as the time goes on, and as Flexen continued.
It was an absolute slug-fest on the offensive side of the plate tonight, for both teams. Three different position players hit a home run off of the Rangers tonight. The bang started off in the bottom of the first, when Michael Conforto grooved a lazer over the wall to start the production. Two batters later, Yoenis Cespedes crushed a solo shot of his own. My Gut Reaction is that the home run will get Cespedes hot on the power spectrum. To complete the home run trifecta, d’Arnaud hit a two run shot in the second inning. The Mets would score their fifth and final run in the seventh, when Asdrubal Cabrera smacked a double to score Michael Conforto. Neil Walker had a single, and Flexen hit his first career double.
The bullpen was huge in the Mets 50th win of the season. Erik Goeddel and Jerry Blevins went a combined, scoreless 2.1 innings. A.J Ramos came into the ninth inning and earned his first save for the Mets, allowing a home run in his inning worked. The Mets will be looking to obtain their 51st win of the season tomorrow at 12:10, when Rafeal Montero takes the mound against the Rangers.
I don’t recall too many RHP with A.J. Griffin’s arsenal of big, slow curveballs and slow fastball. It was something to see.
Sometimes lefties make it with that combination, but I can’t think of a RHP who was successful with that approach.
Not to take anything away from Flexen’s first major league win but he was just league average last night with a league average 5 2/3 innings pitched while giving up three runs. It is encouraging to see a rookie from AA pitch to the league average especially when his rotation mates consistently don’t. Hopefully he can build from this start.
Rosario has been very impressive in the field. Thank goodness he will have two months in the majors to work on his hitting. Smith is supposed to be impressive in the field but he is not getting the offensive adjustment time in the majors. Walker at first base is foolish at this point.
Blevins had another good outing and Goeddel hasn’t allowed a run in his last eight appearances. .
* Goeddel entered game with two outs and a runner on first. He immediately surrendered a booming double to Joey Gallo, allowing the run to score. He wasn’t charged with a run, but.
* Totally agree on Walker at 1B. I don’t know what the Mets are trying to do here. Seem to be needlessly spinning their wheels, wasting time, trying to save face.
* My fear is that our semi-retired GM will look to bring them all back except for Curtis. Individual arguments can be made for any one player, but collectively the energy has to change. The thought of bringing back Bloodless Neil Walker makes me yawn. And Jose? Come on, enough already. Let’s try something different in 2018.
* In fact, that should be the new team motto festooned in a banner across Citi Field: “2018: This Season We’re Trying Something Different!”
* Our veterans are talented but too expensive, no one wants to pick up all that bloated salary for the marginal return. But shouldn’t club get a better look at Nimmo and Plawecki and Smith?