Francisco Lindor homered twice and drove in all five runs, leading the Mets to a 5-1 win in the opener of the doubleheader with the Nationals and ultimately a split of the twinbill Saturday night in Washington.
Lindor gave the Mets the early lead when he hit a two-run homer in the top of the first inning. He also had an RBI single in the third inning and another two-run homer in the fifth, a ball crushed to right field.
David Peterson gave the Mets a strong effort but was yanked by Luis Rojas one out away from qualifying for a win. He gave up a two=out hit in the fifth and Rojas brought on Aaron Loup. Despite the fact this was a 7-inning game, the Mets needed four relievers to go 2.1 IP and unnecessarily sweat out a game they had well in hand.
In the nightcap, Robert Gsellman got the start and gave up a run in his two innings of work and Sean Reid-Foley allowed five runs in 1.2 IP, putting the Mets behind the 8-ball in a game they would lose, 6-2.
There were thoughts the Mets might call up veteran starter Jerad Eickhoff to be the extra man for the doubleheader but they opted for reliever Yennsy Diaz, who finished up the game with 2.1 scoreless innings, only to be sent down again after the game. Diaz now has 4.1 IP with 0 R and has struck out five of the 16 batters he’s faced.
Jose Peraza hit a two-run homer in the seventh inning to account for the Mets’ runs.
I just saw that Lucchesi was put on the 10 day IL with elbow inflammation.
Gut Reaction: Lindor’s game reminded of the slumping Carlos Delgado nine rbi game on June 27, 2008 in the first game of a doubleheader vs the Yankees. Maybe it’s a good omen for Lindor and the Mets.
Rojas pulled Peterson early because in was afraid that Peterson would give up a 5 run homer! In the second game , SRF didn’t have his stuff but Rojas stuck with him and SRF did give up a three run homer that sealed the Nats victory. Go figure.
Rojas’s lowest grades are regarding managing the pitching. Coming from an old baseball family of strong men, young Luis a superstitious young man and is more afraid of making a mistake than seizing hold of a situation. Pulling Peterson when he did was just boorish… Let the kid get a win!
Gsellman needs the chance to prove himself worthy. Simply start the guy like you would any other SP. This going two innings crap is ridiculous. Why is Gsellman good for only 2 but RF gets more innings? Rojas is not exactly a baseball genius…
An opener is more suited for the AL than the NL. After 22 pitches Gsellman was pulled because his turn in the batting order came up. That does not occur in the AL. In the AL the manager can decide when to pull his pitcher . The batting situation is irrelevant. In this game, trailing by one run and a runner on second with one out, Rojas had his hands tied. Consequently, Gsellman threw less pitches than he could have because of the batting situation. Reid- Foley threw too many pitches that he should’ve but that was Rojas’ decision but Rojas wanted to get some length with SRF to compensate Gsellman’s short appearance.