The Mets came into the matchup with Jason Vargas taking the hill for the first time this season. Some fans noted that Vargas could have been skipped, as Jacob deGrom could have pitched on five days rest. The game started off with the Mets spreading hits around the field as they scored five runs in the first inning and batted around the order; the big hit being a two run double off the bat of Amed Rosario.
Starlin Castro continued his series success as he belted his second home-run is as many games. Vargas ended up making it through five innings, giving up two runs on eight hits and striking out two.
Robert Gsellman took over in the sixth as part of a double switch with J.D. Davis coming in for Jeff McNeil. Gsellman worked himself into early trouble, as he continued to let his sinker run across the plate. He gave up two opposite field singles but managed to get former Met Curtis Granderson to strike out looking.
The Mets tacked on an insurance run in the sixth running, which ended up being prudent. After a hard hit single by Wilson Ramos and the second opposite field single of the game by Dom Smith, JD Davis was walked to load the bases. Brandon Nimmo was then hit by a pitch to bring in a run which is noteworthy after a controversial non-call for the Marlins in last night’s game. Pete Alonso came in to pinch hit and struck out looking.
Seth Lugo then came in for relief in the seventh and produced two quick and athletic put-outs. However, for his second straight appearance he struggled to ramp up his velocity and gave up four straight baserunners for two runs.
Lugo stayed in for the eighth inning and after loading the bases was relieved by Justin Wilson, who performed admirably. With a two run lead, one out and the bases loaded, Wilson coaxed a weak ground ball out that scored a run and then struck out the next batter on three pitches.
The Mets bats were relatively quiet outside the first and sixth innings, and went down in order to start the ninth. Edwin Diaz, who pitched a long inning last night, was unavailable as well as Jeurys Familia for some reason, so Justin Wilson stayed in for the ninth inning.
Wilson, who has previous closing experience, quickly found himself in trouble as he hit a batter and gave up a seeing eye single. However, a hard hit line drive right at Rosario allowed the Mets to double up the Marlins to end the game.
The Mets were out hit 16 to 9 but managed to bunch their timely hits for six runs and the win. Dominic Smith and Wilson Ramos each had two hits on the night, Smith notably looks a lot more nimble and comfortable on the base paths. The club looks to sweep the Marlins tomorrow as Jacob deGrom takes the mound.
Talk about dodging a bullet vs the Marlins tonight, heck Vargas was dodging mine fields as he had hard hit after hard hit and deep drive after deep drive hit against him. Vargas had nine balls hit 95 mph or more against him and barely escaped five innings. I gotta laugh at the Mets postgame guys arguing for him to have pitched the sixth as if he would have gotten anyone out that inning. Lugo didn’t look like himself the last two outings and after the game Mickey said that Lugo was very sick since Saturday and yet Mickey had Lugo throw a combined 77 pitches in those two games like wtf? I gotta laugh how Mickey continually double switches one of his best players out of the game in McNeil. Wilson was very lucky in the ninth as we saw but he’s looked fine in his first week as a Met. Vargas really gives up at least five runs if he had faced a team that can hit or the nba ballpark where it was so difficult to hit home runs in, Mets really should have signed Gio to replace Vargas in the rotation.
Is it possible with a 5 run lead the veteran Vargas just decided to throw strikes and let an unheralded lineup take their best shot?
The Lugo thing is crazy though. Where is Avilan? Most worrisome aspect is apparently they had this plan going into the game…get Vargas through five then use the Gsellman, Lugo and Wilson to finish it. You gotta be able to make in game adjustments based on circumstances. Lugo was sick? I ask again…where s Avilan?
More possible he’s a bad pitcher the whole pitching to the scoreboard stuff has been debunked.
While that is BS to me, let’s just say that was their plan. Lugo is not himself and just threw a 40 pitch inning. Why not let Gsellman go a second inning? Callaway seems overwhelmed by the speed of the game.
Back to back nights of Matz and then Vargas…. just nothing impressive about these guys.
Matz is especially confusing. It’s tough to identify any sort of patterned purpose to his Pitching. He’s a Bullpen Session Thrower
Vargas gave us five serviceable innings giving up just 2 runs. How can we not be happy about our #5 starter doing that? I’d take the same results each time out from him and expect to win many of those games. Impressed with how we have been beating the shift as it is the only way to get teams back closer to actually being at normal fielding positions. Got to like our chances for a sweep with Jake on the mound today. Would like to see McNeil back at third as Davis’ glove scares me. Keep the small ball going. Looks like Keuchel might have to settle for a one year deal – why not as a Met?
I’m having flashbacks regarding Callaways use of the bullpen. Last year; despite that 11-1 start, this manager seemed to have been burning through his relievers at a pace that made me almost wish for Terry Collins again. We saw what the eventual and final result turned out to be. So now, he trots out a “sick” Lugo instead of a fresh arm like Avilan? I’m also not impressed with his double switching and losing McNeil. I agree with TexasGusCC, I think this manager isn’t going to cut it. Once again, the Mets will find a way to minimize the potential of their lineup and pitching staff.
Editor’s Note – Please do not capitalize words in your post, as that is a violation of our Comment Policy.
Results matter. They are 4 – 1 so I am not going to complain. Callaway uses the bullpen in a manner that I don’t like but I’ll take the results. My gut reaction is that we may be on the same course as last year . Let us bask in the glory of the Renaissance of Rosario. Also let’s admire Dom Smith who is contributing in a bench role. Let us Marvel at the power of Alonso and the domination of the deGrominator. I am glad Vargas pitched last night because tonight I’m going to the game in my #48 t-shirt and sit behind home plate. LGM