The Mets’ offense did next to nothing in Monday’s doubleheader, scoring just one run in 14 innings, but outstanding relief pitching allowed the team to gain a split, as the Mets won the nightcap, 1-0.
Brandon Nimmo singled past Dansby Swanson, who seemed to be channeling Brooks Robinson thru most of the twinbill. Then Jeff McNeil hit a rocket to center that bounced off the wall and stayed in the park, allowing Nimmo to score from first with the only run of the second game.
Speaking of staying in the park, a ball off the bat of Freddie Freeman did just that in the sixth inning, with Kevin Pillar catching it with his back against the wall. There were two on and no out when Freeman hit that ball off Lugo. The Mets got out of the jam with a slick double play.
Edwin Diaz struck out the side in the ninth to earn the save. It capped a night where the Mets’ pen delivered nine scoreless innings. There were two shutout frames by Miguel Castro in the opener and the nightcap was a bullpen game, one which saw the Mets use six pitchers.
And after a bullpen game on Monday, the Mets have “TBA” as tomorrow’s starting pitcher. Again. The numerous injuries and the numerous doubleheaders have been a terrible 1-2 punch, one that would have felled most teams. But this Mets squad just keeps battling.
The Mets dodged a bullet tonight, but why am I shocked yet not surprised?
Shocked because the Mets teams of the past would have folded under the Braves pressure, gone meekly quiet in the second age and brought the house of cards down upon themselves and their fans. Not surprised because this team has a little destiny at play this season. Forces continue to try and drown them, yet they find a way to keep their head above the water.
I was frustrated that Luis Rojas does n-o-t-h-i-n-g to manufacture runs. In a seven-inning games especially, for god sakes put up a run! A leadoff baserunner only scores when several Mets come through with hits. He had Nimmo on with no out, had Villar on with no out, and nothing…. N-o-t-h-i-n-g. “Oh, can’t run with Pete up, can’t run with McCann up… find every reason not to run… First and third no out in the nightcap, most teams put some kind of play on to generate action, force a mistake… Rojas has to roll the dice sometimes… teach your team to run the bases…
Gut Reaction: The bullpen game was masterful and resulted in a victory. It was impressive. Desperate times with the lack of healthy starters but the bullpen came through. It has been a tough go and Rojas/Heffener are doing a good job piecing all together.
One run in two games spanning 14 inning against non-elite pitching resulted in one win. While the bats are concerning, that is an excellent outcome given those numbers.
Phillies stunned the Nats and Met offseason target Brad Hand is beginning to do his Diaz first Met season impression…a guy I lamented missing out on…but perhaps another avoided acquisition that is benefitting the team. Bauer, Paxton, Odorizzi, Rosenthal, Hand, Springer with a ton of missed games…maybe some I am forgetting.
Yes, TJ, and if Taijuan can get his feet beck under him, find himself for a solid second half, we will come out looking pretty good on that off-season score.
The Braves have to feel pretty bad about the second game. They are clearly not the same team they have been. For god sakes, let’s stop pitching to Freddie, who came two feet from letting a lot down the drain.
Braves are solid, but not like they used to be… losing their superstar and starting catcher just too much to overcome.
Mets have to win one of the next three to hold them off, but two wins would effectively send the Braves reeling, especially after having the pitching advantage.