Five? Five? Yes, five. You read that right: the Mets scored five or more runs in a game for the first time since May 29 and that many in a win since the day before. It helped that Steven Matz had another good game and made ’em all stand up.
The Mets put three runs on the board in the second inning, when Wilmer Flores led off with a base hit to left. Brandon Nimmo pulled one to right. After Devin Mesoraco struck out, Michael Conforto — batting in the number seven hole — roped the first pitch he saw into the right field seats. They added one the next inning when Amed Rosario hit a double to deep center and crossed to third on Asdrubal Cabrera’s fly ball out. Todd Frazier walked and with Flores at the plate, Arizona starter Patrick Corbin uncorked a wild pitch and Rosario scampered home.
This is where things stayed until the sixth, with Matz and Corbin trading outs. In that sixth, the Mets and D-Backs traded runs. In the top half, Nimmo singled with one out and stole second. Mesoraco hit a blooper to medium right-center and the hustling Nimmo tried to score, but was gunned down on a terrific throw from centerfielder Chris Owings, with Mesoraco chugging to second. Conforto smashed a double off the right field fence. Welcome to 2018, Michael Conforto. In the bottom half, Arizona shortstop Nick Ahmed led off with a triple and scored on Paul Goldschmidt’s groundout.
Now all that was left was to see how far Matz could take it. The answer was two more outs. After singles by Deven Marrero and Daniel Descalso, he gave way to Robert Gsellman, who hit John Jay with a pitch — bringing the tying run to the plate — but got Ahmed to ground out to Cabrera. Gsellman struck out two in the eighth and Anthony Swarzak struck out the side in the ninth and the Mets had their second June victory, second win this week, as a matter of fact. Break ’em up!
Sunday’s Father’s Day finale will feature Zack Wheeler facing Clay Bucholz.
Okay, a question: why in hell have the Mets not brought up Jeff McNeil? Unlike Alonso, he doesn’t have a first rounder ahead of him in the pecking order.
So, the team wants to see him perform at the AAA level. Tell me, does anybody think he won’t put up big numbers at Vegas? Will it prove anything that hasn’t already been proven?
Are they trying to preserve his future; worrying that a setback could halt his progress? The guy is 26 years old; he has already lost multiple years to injury. The future for him is as fast as the team can reasonably promote him.
Is there a place for him on the roster? Hell, yes; he can do everything the present day Jose Reyes can do and better, except switch hit I suppose.
Bringing McNeil up just might result in an extra win or two, for a team starved for runs. And besides, I want to see those amazing ears on a live television feed. I see zero downside to making the move. Do it now, Alderson!
Since you mention 5,the 5 hole is too far down in the order for Nimmo.Rosario should never bat leadoff.
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