Michael Conforto came up with the play of the game, throwing out a runner at the plate in the ninth inning to preserve the Mets’ lead and they held on for a 2-1 win over the Braves Wednesday night at Citi Field.
Brandon Drury gave the Mets the lead with a pinch-hit homer in the seventh inning. Max Fried had been frustrating the Mets all night with his curve but Drury deposited one in the left field stands for the game-winning hit.
Luis Rojas gets a lot of grief for how he runs his pen but he did a really nice job in this game. He still has to be careful with an overused pen from all of the doubleheaders and early exits but he got Seth Lugo ready for an appearance in a game where the starter was cruising and that turned out to be a good thing. He also got Aaron Loup in a spot to face the key LHB, even if Loup didn’t get the job done. He brought in Jeurys Familia once Loup was ready to face two RHB and even with runners in scoring position, Familia came in and got the job done beautifully.
Edwin Diaz pitched the ninth inning and gave up some hard-hit balls. Two of them fell for hits but the second one was the one that Conforto made his big play. He charged the ball and fired a strike to the plate. And he threw it in the air, not relying on the catcher to make a scoop of a throw from 200 feet away and then apply the tag.
James McCann did a nice job applying the tag and he was helped out from just a really poor slide. How is it that MLB players slide worse than I did as an 8 year old? The runner put his lead foot down too early and essentially his foot bounced and didn’t touch the plate. By the time his back leg touched home, McCann had already tagged him.
Diaz still had one hard-hit ball left in him but Kevin Pillar made a nice running catch to end the game.
The five-game series concludes tomorrow with a noon start. Drop by the chatter if you can sneak away during work.
Gut Reaction: That was some game. Megill pitched a good game, again. He is pitching so well that has earned a place in the rotation. He might be the Rookie of the Month in July. A hot McNeil drive in the first run and an even hotter Drury hit a homerun for the go ahead run. With a lead going into the ninth, it was important to not let this game slip away. Familia in the eight and Conforto made an important clutch throw in the ninth assured the victory.
The Mets gave the worst record of any first place team, but they have won games at critical times all season. Some in dramatic ways…maybe some luck combined with some exceptional plays.
Familia was looked like his old dominant self over the last couple of weeks. He has both harnessed the sinker and got back that late break. His last five appearances I believe he has pitched 5.2 scoreless innings with 10 K and 0 walks. I think Rojas is very aware of this.
Megill has been nothing short of spectacular. Due to the small sample you can’t expect this type of performance every outing, but his emergence is huge for this team going forward and beyond 2021.
It’s true that Megill is a phenomenon. But he seems perfectly comfortable and like it’s no big deal. He’ll get hit hard some game, or not have his stuff, and we might see a crack, but he’s made a believer of me. I can’t wait for his games. I believe the Mets have won every game he’s pitched.
An exciting weekend ahead, with Cookie taking the hill. If this rotation comes around with deGrom back, it can be a long 60 games for the NL East.
The Mets are 6-1 in Megill’s starts, with the lone loss coming when the bullpen blew the lead late against the Pirates. Megill tossed six shutout innings in that game.
Ever since Brian’s article about Familia, he has been absolutely filthy. Granted it’s a small sample size, but he’s looked almost unhittable and throwing strikes consistently. He completely overmatched Riley last night when he desperately needed a strikeout. I hope he can keep it up.
Brian, maybe you need to write a similar article about Conforto!
Was going to make the same comment. Diaz hasnt been as filthy as Familia but he hasnt allowed a run in 4 straight save conversions and prior to last night had struck out 7 of 10 I believe. Go Brian!!!
I’ve been a jinx to players for years. But I don’t think the recent Familia story qualifies. I asked how he was going to rebound from his bad stretch and gave both an optimistic and pessimistic case.
As for Conforto, yesterday’s throw to the plate gives him a grace period in my mind. Now, it may only last two days. But it’s there for me.