The Mets jumped out to a 5-1 lead and held on for a 5-4 win to take the first of a three-game series in St. Louis Friday night.
The visitors had a ton of baserunners early and while they scored four runs in the first four innings, it felt like they should have scored more. Still, they knocked Adam Wainwright out of the game early but managed just one run in six innings against the Cardinals’ pen.
But that one run was a sight to behold. Pete Alonso hit a laser beam that off the bat looked like it wouldn’t reach the warning track but just kept going and going. Not only did it go out, but it cleared the CF fence by a healthy margin. The solo blast put the Mets up, 5-1.
Jason Vargas started the game and was pulled after four innings, so he wouldn’t have to face the Cards’ lineup for a third time. But the relievers who came in didn’t do so hot. Seth Lugo gave up two runs, Jeurys Familia surrendered an unearned run and Justin Wilson did not retire a batter. Robert Gsellman came on in the eighth to get two big outs and was by far the team’s best reliever of the night.
Edwin Diaz came on in the ninth and put runners on the corners but got Yadier Molina to end things with a lazy fly to center. Shaky as it was, it was the seventh save in seven tries for Diaz.
So I guess this means Vargas is the new ace of the rotation? And he’ll be rewarded with a 5 year $100 million contract extension ??
Did anyone really think Alonso would have such a hot start making the jump from his AAA and AA heroics? Mets win. It’s a good night. Let’s take game two tomorrow.
No. Its been utterly fantastic. Its April, so hard to project what June looks like (remember Conforto?), but so far Alonso exceeded all my expectations.
Gut Reaction: Diaz Mios! with a helping hand from Gsellman delivering two clutch outs.
Cano hit the ball hard last night and Alonso supposedly pulled back his swing and hit it further! He is amazing.
With a four to one lead the starting pitcher should have stayed in the ball game until at least he got in trouble or had a high pitch count. Only Four innings really taxed the bullpen and the Mets bullpen is spotty right now. We’ll see if it haunts us the next two games.
This game against a playoff contender is the type of games the Mets have to win to win their division.