Well Mickey Callaway looked like a genius in this one.
Starting Jason Vargas was all that was needed to seal this victory and to even the series at one game apiece. Vargas pitched a gem going for the shutout, his first in a Met uniform, as he scattered five hits and a walk on 117 pitches. A huge question mark coming into the season, Vargas was unimpressive through the first few weeks. Since the slow start he has been a solid piece and stabilizer for the rotation.
Having a large lead certainly allowed him to be aggressive against hitters. The Mets bats struck early in this one with Jeff McNeil hitting a laser double in the leadoff spot, later scoring. A trio of home runs from Michael Conforto, Amed Rosario, and Adeiny Hechavarria continued a streak of great home offense. Rosario’s in particular stood out as it was an opposite-field no doubter.
In the field Pete Alonso looked good after messing up a play last night. Keith Hernandez on the broadcast was quick to examine the first basemen’s glove work, and tonight Alonso had some nice scoops.
Next to him at the keystone Robinson Cano made his return, but left in the fifth inning with tightness in his left quad.
Callaway found a surefire way to eliminate questions about his bullpen moves – don’t make any!
A shutout
Three homers
The guy with the .650 OPS who continues to bat third has to leave the game early
I’d say all in all – a pretty darn good day.
That was an unexpected great start. I thought Vargas was gonna be clobbered after giving up a double to Panik but he did a great job getting out of that jam, and in three of the four innings the leadoff man got on, and he escaped. Vargas just kept getting stronger as his change up and knuckle curve was devastating. That was probably the third best start of the season behind deGrom’s start vs the Marlins in Miami and Thor’s complete game shutout vs the Reds in which he homered. Vargas got some good defense from McNeil and Alonso, with Alonso making some fantastic scoops. Vargas was wonderful vs the Dodgers and followed it up beautifully.
The offense supported him nicely after I got a little worried that they wouldn’t after Cano’s double play ended the third, but Conforto and Rosario made sure that wouldn’t happen thankfully.
Sorry to see Cano hurt again its amazing that he was so durable for over a decade then comes here and boom is hurt twice. The question is do they go with McNeil at second and Dom in LF or Hech at second and keep McNeil in LF? Oh and please no more Gomez.
All in a fun agita free night hopefully tomorrow afternoon is more of the same. Oh and great game by McNeil his barrel control is off the charts
I have to admit, I wanted to throw Vargas on the trash heap. Now he looks like he is our best starter.
Not too shabby for a #5 starter. And Brian you hit it on the nose – Mickey did not have to make a pitching change. The whole world knew he should not have taken Thor out the other night, but him and whatever stupid statistical info had him do so should be deleted.
Hoping for a series win today. You can’t be in contention without winning series after series. Let’s start with this one. Let’s hope Cano come back soon or that deal will be seen as one of the worst of all time even with snagging Diaz.
Vargas is clearly a bottom of the rotation guy, without much margin for error, but for sure he is someone that knows how to pitch. The Giants lineup is anemic, but nonetheless Vargas took care of business. I hope the other big arms were paying close attention.
Gut Reaction: you can make 117 pitches in a game and not have your arm fall off. Vargas was efficient last night, in control and did not labor. He averaged 13 pitches an inning. With an 7 to 0, lead of course you keep him in until he loses the shut out or until he gets fatigued. In the ninth inning, Vargas had the responsibility to complete the game and get a shutout. That was his task, he owned it, and he accomplished it. Very good job.
Cano’s injury opens up the opportunity to make the the best lineup everyday. McNeil has the versatility to play three positions left field third base and second base. Callaway now has the opportunity to you show his stuff off because Smith, Frasier, Rosario and Hechavarria are all producing.
I remember When Joe Torre, and Charlie Manuel and Tito Francona were Idiots!
“I’m probably the only guy who worked for (Casey) Stengel before and after he was a genius.” – Warren Spahn
The Manager is the First Guy to live with the outcome of decisions…. and the outcome is usually determined by the players, not the choices of the manager.
Two assumed Big Producers are Grounded — Cano and Lowrie….. The SP’s are virtually all suspects…. The Relievers have failed. The Roster has 10 Corner IF/LF’ers , a Catcher and a SS.
I’m not sure what the Chef can do…but the groceries suck
This only looks easy!!!!