Pete Alonso ripped a two-run double to break a 1-1 tie, leading the Mets to a 4-2 win over Brandon Woodruff and the Brewers Monday night at Citi Field.
Woodruff and Tylor Megill were locked in an unexpected pitcher’s duel. Megill went five innings and only allowed a solo homer but an elevated pitch count led to his early removal despite good results. Meanwhile, Woodruff held the Mets to just one hit in six innings but that double to Brandon Nimmo ended up in a run that tied the game.
The Mets finally got to Woodruff in the seventh, stringing together a walk and three hits to plate three runs. The final run came on an RBI single by Michael Conforto, who has had a rough go of things since returning from the IL.
The Mets got great relief pitching until the ninth inning. Edwin Diaz, who hadn’t pitched in six days, was not sharp and he allowed the first three batters he faced to reach base, resulting in a run for the Brewers. But Diaz recovered and ended the game with two strikeouts and a pop up, the latter coming off the bat of Jackie Bradley Jr., who so many fans wanted the Mets to sign this past offseason to replace Nimmo. With tonight’s 0-4, Bradley is now hitting .172 with a sub-Plaweckian .542 OPS.
Gut Reaction: This was the best played game for the Mets in season. They were playing a first place team that had their Cy Young candidate on the mound to was dominating. And yet the Mets won the game because Megill pitched masterful, Dom delivered a small run SF courtesy of londor, and clutch hitting bye Alonso and conforto.
(The above comment just posted, I don’t how, before I was finished and before I corrected the spelling and grammar)
Their bullpen and the defensive replacements were managed properly. This is the Mets that we were waiting for.
The Mets beat Cole and Woodruff almost back to back, which has to give them some confidence that they can compete for nine innings. Indeed they can, and suddenly having Nimmo, Villar, McNeil, Conforto, and very soon JD Davis back in uniform, allows Rojas to shuffle the cards and get quality at bats or quality defense. Another fine pitching performance by Megill, whom I really like to watch… unruffled demeanor.
Glad to see Trevor May back on solid ground. Lugo is the best pitcher in their bullpen… Luis has a lot of weapons right now… everyone except for Castro, who might need a change scenery for a stretch.
Got to love Megill so far. If he can stretch out to 6-7 innings we have found a diamond in the rough. A great shot in the arm with Petersen struggling and then joining the IL. Some clutch hits tonight. Let’s make it two in a row with Jake in the bump.
Very very nice win. Diaz was scary in the ninth on six days rest but he got it done. Six to go to the break, with four against the Pirates and deGrom twice. If Walker isn’t named to the ASG and deGrom doesn’t go, everyone but Pete will rest and regroup for the second half, and with a little luck Carassco won’t be too far away. They are really well positioned despite numerous bumps. They deserve a lot of credit despite the records of the other NL East teams.
Megill is a joy to watch! His 97 FB and great-moving 85 CU are excellent. What a surprise! The Mets seem to have a solid top 4 for the rotation now! I’m not sure that they need to trade for someone like Berrios, with Carrasco coming back soon (hopefully!) and Syndergaard arriving later it is thought. Should they deal for Berrios for Mauricio and Santos perhaps, and not sign Stroman this winter? I would make that trade, but it might not be enough for the Twins. I would also give Thor and Jake new contracts, giving the Mets a rotation next year of deGrom, Walker, Carrasco, Berrios and Syndergaard, with Megill available when needed.
And how about locking up Nimmo, for which a number of us have been advocating! He’s more valuable than Conforto and less streaky I think! Then get a CFer for next year during the winter.
Pul-lease let’s not add Astrubal Cabrera to this team…not needed… plus he eschewed the Mets for the Nats last time.
Donaldson? Nice addition albeit expensive. Again, not sure we need another infielder. Rather have Kris Bryant long term.
Needed: Tanner Scott, nasty lefty reliever.
Conforto vs. Nimmo, the debate continues. This week everyone is high on Nimmo. If he cools, and he tends to go through cold periods, and Conforto heats up, and he should, the debate will rage. Neither player seems capable of playing 150 games a year. I like Starling Marte… RH centerfielder… potent offense… .400 OBP.
That said, I cannot say enough about Kevin Pillar… he’s my Mets MVP so far… just stings the ball consistently… wish he had more to show for it… very very dependable player.
“Plaweckian” is my new favorite adjective. Thanks.
Just sayin’: that Lindor bunt was crucial. It helped us to tie the game against a legitimate Cy Young contender.
I know that the bunt worked out in terms of getting the run in, but I still don’t like it. Lindor is paid to drive in runs and I would prefer to see him hit. I know that his numbers don’t look good this year, but in the more recent month or so, he’s pretty much at his career numbers. I’d rather see him hit in that spot.