Patrick Mazeika came up with the bases loaded and hit the ball about 20 feet. But it was far enough away from the pitcher to bring home Pete Alonso from third base with the winning run, giving the Mets a 5-4 win over the Diamondback Friday night at Citi Field.
It looked like the Mets were going to come out of this one with a loss. We got “bad” David Peterson today. He had good velocity but had trouble throwing strikes. Peterson felt like the umpire was squeezing him and he fell apart. Luis Rojas yanked him after just 1.2 IP but with the Mets trailing, 3-0.
Robert Gsellman came on and did a good job of getting out of the second inning but gave up a run in the third, putting the Mets in a four-run hole. But the Mets chipped away with solo runs in the third and sixth innings and then something completely unexpected happened.
Francisco Lindor hit a two-run homer to tie the game, a no-doubter to left field.
The Mets had chances to push across a run in both the eighth and ninth innings but came up empty. However, they got great relief pitching, along with a really bad baserunning play from ex-Met Asdrubal Cabrera in the ninth inning.
Cabrera hit a rope to right field and for most batters it would have been a double. But Cabrera, who was not svelte when he played for the Mets and has only gained weight since he left, was easily thrown out by Michael Conforto, who made a very nice throw.
Aaron Loup pitched the 10th inning and had no trouble operating with a runner on second base. The D’Backs were not so lucky. They started off the inning by walking Dominic Smith to set up a force play while gaining the platoon advantage. After a flyout advanced the lead runner to third base, they again opted for a walk, setting the stage for Mazeika’s mighty wallop.
The two big stories of the game were relief pitching and hitting with RISP. The Mets got 8.1 innings of work from their pen with only one run allowed. The D’Backs relievers allowed 3 R in 2.1 IP. And if that wasn’t enough of a shocker for you, the Mets were 3-7 with RISP – Mazeika’s blast was ruled a fielder’s choice – while the D’Backs were just 1-16.
It’s nice to see the other side of that coin.
One other thing of note, one that we’ll probably know the answer to by the time you read this. But late in the game there was a kerfuffle in the tunnel leading away from the Mets’ dugout. You’d think this would be the perfect thing for a sideline reporter to get to the bottom of but our fearless guy had nothing. Anyway, hopefully it was nothing major.
I was frustrated by Peterson’s performance… I’m his biggest advocate. He had Steven Matz syndrome… working feverishly fast in the first inning, not being relaxed, but with good stuff. One thing goes wrong and he falls to pieces.
Meanwhile, I’d be pissed if I was paying Cabrera and he was 20 pounds overweight. Can’t field as well, can’t run the bases, and it probably doesn’t help is hitting either… an embarrassment. Dom’s looking a little pouchy also…. and Tommy Hunter… these guys make millions and have some splanin to do…
Can we ask Pete to stop with the tearing-off-the-jersey thing… just crass… it’s only a baseball game, Pete… act like you expect to win.
Hey, if Petey wants to express his cheer by flashing his moobs, he should be allowed to do so
Have to agree with Wobbit on the tearing off the jersey… maybe the player can tip the other guys off to not rip it off because… “he’s shy”. I was tired of the Alonso act last year, but he insists on having the IQ of a ball player, so his choice.
The best thing I can say about this game is the Mets fell behind but scratched and clawed to get back into it and had just enough to pull it off against a team that is playing well. The worst thing I can say about this team is Smith is hitting it pretty well but at people most of the time, McNeil is still looking for his luck, Nimmo is sorely missed, and McCann needs to sit more for Nido, who is just hurting the ball right now.
Lucchesi tomorrow and I don’t understand how you line up two lefties in a row, but luckily Lucchesi will be gone no later than the fourth, the fifth if he’s doing well. And speaking of chubby, how much weight did Edwin Diaz gain? Wow!
11 yr old grandson asked last night: “Why was Maz’s RBI AB ruled a FC?” I thought I explained the ruling, but he insisted the fielder would have had a “choice” with 2 out, but not with 1.
Stumped!
The number of outs doesn’t make a difference. Fielder could have went to multiple bases. The score being what it was made the decision to go home a no-brainer. But the score doesn’t factor into the ruling.
MLB Rule 2: “”the act of a fielder who handles a fair grounder and, instead of throwing to first base to put out the batter-runner, throws to another base in an attempt to put out a preceding runner.”
Yes. That’s the textbook application of the rule, and the official scorer had no “choice.”
Amazing to me was to have an 11 yr old note that, if he had thrown to 1st, likely the run would have scored (ending game) before any out was recorded–thus there was no “choice” to put the batter-runner out.
Gut Reaction: very good pitching the secondary relievers to keep the game close after the Peterson melt down. Also Pillar’s fly out to advance the runner and Mazeika’s dribbler is evidence that putting the ball in play, instead of striking out, can lead to good things. A nice come back win.
I liked Lindor’s bunt attempt, just too bad he did not execute better. Every facet of the game contributes in its way. His homer was huge, and his bunt could have also helped win the game… opposite ends of the spectrum.
I like well-rounded players who have skills on all levels. Nimmo, Linor, McNeil, Guillermo, Villar, Pillar, and Peroza should all be able to execute the standard bunt… gives the team options and forces the defense to consider it.