The Mets extended their winning streak to four games with a 2-0 shutout of the Marlins Monday night. It was their fourth victory in as many games against the Marlins here in 2018.
Jason Vargas, pitching for the first time in nearly two weeks, turned in his best pitching performance of the year. Was it the upgrade from Jose Lobaton/Tomas Nido to Devin Mesoraco or was it because of facing Miami? Whatever the reason, he finished with five scoreless innings with seven strikeouts. He cruised through the first four innings before pitching out of a jam in the fifth.
The Mets had some good swings but very little to show for it. They jumped on top thanks to an RBI double by Asdrubal Cabrera, which scored Amed Rosario from first base. Rosario was running on the pitch and appeared to fly around the bases, showing his speed that makes fans wonder why he doesn’t steal more bases.
The Marlins threatened in the sixth, loading the bases on a single and two walks. The second of the free passes was allowed by Jerry Blevins, who was immediately removed for AJ Ramos. Fans were covering their eyes with Ramos coming on with the bases juiced, figuring a walk was a near guarantee. For his part, Ramos threw a bunch of pitches out of the strike zone but was bailed out by Derek Dietrich, who ended up fanning after starting the count 2-0. All three pitches he swung at were balls.
The Mets scratched out an insurance run with a bloop double be Mesoraco, an error and an opposite field single by pinch-hitter Wilmer Flores.
Jeurys Familia allowed a double in the ninth inning but picked up his 13th Save of the year when Lewis Brinson inexplicably tried to beat out an infield hit by diving into first base. There was nothing wrong with the throw and it certainly looked like he would have beaten it if he ran through the bag. That would have brought the tying winning run to the plate. You could almost hear Keith muttering about fundies.
AJ Ramos imo was the star of the game. I thought Mickey was nuts to bring a walk machine like Ramos in with the bases loaded but it worked out but I thought it was a bad process good result. Ramos did a great job in the seventh making after the leadoff walk and make a real nice defensive play starting the double play.
The Mets for once had their defense actually help not hinder them. Nimmo made a fantastic run saving a run on a ball the had a 44% catch probability, and while he went hitless he had his usual high quality at bats and just missed a homer. Rosario made a tremendous play to end the game and got some help with Bronson diving instead of running through the bag.
The bullpen was pretty damn good though Lugo was shaky and threw some hangers but the defense bailed him out.
Vargas was excellent and his changeup was sinking and he spotted his fastball inside and really pitched smarter by using his changeup more than his fastball unlike the previous three starts.
The offense was pretty bad but hey a wins a win but Bruce is killing this team and Gonzalez is adding nothing.
Brinson was the tying run since Dietrich was already on base, the go ahead run would have come to the plate.
There have been several players that had good speed and didn’t steal bases. Chili Davis comes to mind, but wondering why:
– Lagares and Rosario both can fly but not taught how to steal bases.
– They need to bring up Nido for Mesoraco to tutor him on preparation because no has before.
– Their players aren’t well versed in fundamentals.
What kind of a crappy system is Alderson running? Who the fk are the coaches?
If Maury Wills (85) was 20 years younger I’d hire him to be our base running coach. Since he isn’t I’d rehire Mookie for the job. For those old enough to remember Maury stole a lot more bases than his teammate Willie Davis, who was considered the fastest player in baseball.
Well, I for one hope that Rosario does not go on an attempted stolen base tear. I don’t want him squandering outs learning to be a stolen base leader.
My idea of a great base stealer is Carlos Beltran, or even the young Jimmy Wynn. If you go, make it; otherwise wait until the ball is in play.
Nido is up. Lobaton was DFAd.
Once again Cabrera comes through. Is it me or is Blevins turning into a 2014 Scott Rice?
Did we just trade a fading all-star for a capable backstop in a bass ackwards trade? Is it even conceivable that we rumplstiltskinned our way to a solution to our ongoing catching issues? I’m staying tuned for further developments ! It’s the Mets after all and things are rarely how they appear
Could Harvey for Mesoraco be a reverse Ed Hearn for David Cone?
Rosario has a world of talent, but horrible baserunning instincts. Does that come with experience? Will he be turned loose — a la Reyes — eventually?
It remains to be seen.
This has been a refreshing week as a Mets fan. Rosario can hit after all, Vargas can pitch after all. Let’s hope Wheeler has one of his good starts tonight because this little 4 game streak can and should become 6.