Last year the Giants were 5-1 against the Mets, winning three games by one run and another by two. Tuesday night the Mets flipped the switch, taking the opener, 5-4, and the nightcap, 3-1. The doubleheader sweep runs the Mets’ record to 9-3 on the season.
The Mets fell behind 4-1 in the opener but battled back to tie the game on a two-run double by Jeff McNeil and an RBI double by Francisco Lindor. They had a chance to win the game in the 9th inning, as the first two runners reached on walks. Luis Guillorme was sent up to sacrifice and he got the bunt down. But giving away the out didn’t work, as the next two batters struck out the send the game into extra innings.
It looked like the Giants were going to take the lead, but replay overturned the call at first base, ruling that Pete Alonso held the bag on a poor throw from Lindor to end the inning. And Lindor went from nearly being the goat to being the hero, as his RBI single was the game winner.
The story of the nightcap was Max Scherzer. He had a no-hitter thru 5.2 innings and looked in complete control. Then he allowed back-to-back walks and his first hit of the game, which cut the Mets’ lead to 3-1. Scherzer quickly recovered and not only got out of the sixth, he came back and finished the seventh, too.
Scherzer upped his record to 3-0 and his final line was 7 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 3 BB and 10 Ks. Drew Smith and Trevor May shut the door to preserve the win. Smith survived a blast by Mike Yastrzemski that died on the warning track but would have gone out on a warmer day with no wind. May looked terrific in the ninth, closing the game out due to Edwin Diaz pitching in the opener.
Lindor, Dominic Smith and Eduardo Escobar each had two hits in the second game, totaling six of the Mets’ eight hits in the game. Escobar had a two-run double to start the scoring in the third inning and Smith drove him home to give Scherzer an early 3-0 lead.
Tylor Megill started the opener and gave up two runs apiece in the second and third innings. But he righted the ship and gave the Mets six innings. With doubleheaders back to nine innings this year, it was a good thing that the Mets’ SP in the twinbill combined for 13 IP. Relievers for the Mets combined for six scoreless innings, with Adam Ottavino picking up the win in the first game.
Well well well. Early statement by the Mets. Scherer asked to pitch the 2nd game so he could gauge the bullpen usage and give the team length if needed. God I hated him when he was on the other team. But I think I’ve underestimated his influence. So far…signing of the off-season. Just an incredible start to the season. We probably should be 11-1 or 12-0.
Great day. The difference between a good, smart player and the alternative was on display in game 1. With second and third and one out in the ninth inning, both Jankowski and Dom Smith took a called strike three on an outside corner slider. Conversely, Lindor was down 0-2 in the tenth inning and went down to almost a knee to hit a low slider into center for a game winning hit. Sure, the pitch was low and he could have taken it for a ball, but he was protecting no matter what, and he was rewarded.
Kudos to Pete Alonso on a great defensive stretch to end the tenth inning, and he was booking hard to score on McNeil’s double earlier in the game.
Lastly, Drew Smith was the pitcher in the eighth inning with a two run lead. Showalter looks like he isn’t interested in credentials but rather results. With so many veterans available for that crucial spot, Smith deserved and did well.
Too, in game 2 it was shocking to see Sterling Marte batting seventh just twelve games into the season. Wow!! Just wow!! How many managers could get away with that and how many managers would do that to a star signing just a dozen games in? I was glad to see McNeil, Nimmo, and Lindor at the top of the order.
Tomorrow the Giants are starting a lefty pitcher. I hope Cano isn’t in the starting lineup…
Gut Reaction: Showalter manages different than any Met manager in rcent memory. He stuck with Megill and Scherzer and was rewarded with three scoreless innings and one scoreless inning after they were scored upon because: 1) he watch the game and knew that they could 2) he want both those pitchers to feel to responsibility or mindset that they were needed to saved the bullpen in the DH (especially Megill). Then he used six different relievers to closeout the sweep and save the bullpen for another day. The team lesson is that every pitcher is responsible and will be called throughout the year and should have the mindset of that. In the past, the bullpen was overused and the starting pitchers were satisfied and said ” they did their job”. Buck wants more.
Good teams win games like these.
Buck can do no wrong!—well, little wrong!
Such a quiet little early-season test was passed yesterday with two hard-fought wins. Anyone predicting a series split now gets two free games to play with house money. What a treat to have Bassitt going today.
Giants won 106 games last season with absolutely all cylinders firing with credit to Gabe K for nice managing. Players having career years, pitchers maxing out, Kepler using his entire bench all season. Exactly what the Mets night do this season. Giants will probably come down this season… maybe 90 wins? Very tough division, and now the Rockies may make it even tougher.
I’m a day-trader, so I look for little signs:
– Megill took the heat and settled down… very good for his development.
– Lindor slowly gaining confidence and comfort… much better insulation around him with better talent.
– Buck moving Marte down a great move… shows team unity, and took the pressure off Marte. He needs a day off.
– Dom shows a little sign of life… a clutch hit lifts his spirit.
– Entire bullpen took a step forward: Lugo, May, JRod, Otto survived. Smith elevating in stature, Diaz a zero in non-save situation… all good signs. (I still don’t believe Drew Smith… that blast was gone on any other night.)
– Alonso playing the best baseball of his career. Needs a footwork coach around the bag… a quicker first step keeps hm on his feet more often. Great stretch in the 10th, though.
– Hopefully Lindor will charge balls more consistently.
– Max a force of nature… the man owns the game. He was gassed in the 6th, came back out to save the pen.
– Offense still has some room to grow… Mets might be really scary to the likes of Braves and Phils.