Jeff McNeil and Dominic Smith each had four-hit games as the Mets set a season record for most hits (15) and tied for the most runs as they defeated the Phillies, 10-6, Sunday night in Citi Field. The Mets won their seventh straight series and are in first place with a 16-7 record.
McNeil had two doubles, two runs scored and an RBI. Smith had a double, a run and 3 RBIs. He had perhaps the key hit of the game, off nemesis Jose Alvarado in the fifth inning. Smith and Alvarado got into a jawing match last year, with Smith having enough of Alvarado’s mound antics. He delivered a two-run single off the lefty Alvarado to give the Mets a three-run lead that they would not relinquish.
Max Scherzer started for the Mets and looked filthy from the first pitch. He struck out the first five batters he faced. The sixth, Kyle Schwarber, took him deep for a homer. It seemed to rattle Schwarber, who did not strike out another batter until the fifth inning.
But while he did not pile up the Ks, Scherzer settled down and got outs. At least until there were two outs in the fourth inning. He walked J.T. Realmuto and served up another gopher ball to Schwarber, putting the Phillies up, 3-2.
An RBI double by Smith tied the game in the bottom of the fourth and the Mets’ three-run fifth inning gave Scherzer the win. He’s now 4-0 as a Met and his team hasn’t lost a game he’s started since July 8 of last year.
There was more HBP madness, as Francisco Lindor took a shot high up on his leg. He motioned to the pitcher like everything was ok and Buck Showalter, who was out on the field off the top step, went back to the dugout without saying a word.
But Yoan Lopez, the pitcher who went up and in to Nolan Arenado to set off a fracas against the Cardinals, threw two pitches inside to Schwarber to make him move his feet. The announcers thought it was clearly a case of Lopez throwing at Schwarber. I wasn’t 100% convinced but if it was, at least he wasn’t head hunting. The umps issued warnings to both teams. And then Lopez actually did hit a batter. But he wasn’t thrown out. Seemed like the umps were ready to go home and since no one was warming up for the Mets, who knows how long it would’ve taken to get a new pitcher ready.
Lopez ended up throwing a gopher ball, giving the Phillies their last two runs. It undoubtedly clinched the decision to send him out on Monday when rosters go from 28 to 26. Now we just have to see which hitter the Mets cut ties with. Smith stated his case to stay with the 4-hit game as best as he could.
In the debate of which hitter to send down, once the variables are weighed, the answer is obvious: Luis Guillorme. It was nice to see Guillorme play tonight and do relatively well. But, Cano needs to be given a little more rope and everyone else is just better than Luis. As for the backup shortstop, LoL, like the backup to Payton Manning or Cal Ripken, it isn’t a big deal. For a few weeks, Lindor will play all the time, bring up Luis for double headers as the extra man (like for Tuesday for example if you want to use the rule to give Lindor a blow. I would tell Guillorme to just hang around the club house until then and afterwards go to upstate) and Escobar and McNeil can both stand at shortstop to finish a game if Lindor needed removal for whatever reason, with Guillorme being available the next day.
As for the game, the Phillies are a quality team and a win is a win. Scherzer is doing a great job handling the microscope and while we all love deGrom, he has missed alot of time these last few years. I don’t know if max effort is necessary, but, it seems he has had his mind on his next contract (and never once denied it all these years) and I’m not so sure that those guys really weigh what is best for the team.
I was at the game last night. The reality is that Robinson Cano adds nothing to the team’s hitting or versatility.
Dominic Smith and J.D. Davis are better hitters (I’d argue that Guillorme and maybe Jankowski are better offensively) than Cano at this point in his career. I kept joking that Dom’s big night all but assured the Mets were about to give Cano more starting time.
Guillorme plays 3B, SS and 2B well and provides the Mets a plus defensive bench player who can help them in multiple spots.
What do you think Cano still has to show us?
What do you think Cano still has to show us?
An automatically locking door closing quickly on the way out…
Nothing else.
Well,
At least Chris and I are on the same page.
Dave, Cano is toast, we all feel that way. However, Buck has come out on the record saying that he wants to give him more time. Lindor is campaigning in the press to keep him. Cohen is paying him, so if he gets cut and hooks up with someone else and is decent, well, that’s a bad look on Eppler. Hence, who is next up the ladder and has options so you don’t lose him?
I see I was responding as you were writing. Just my opinion on how they attempt to buy time. Don’t forget, Marte said he signed here because of Cano… it may be lip service, but…
Gut Reaction: Seven straight series wins! That is an accomplishment.
Dom had be great game in should stay because he found his stroke. Now let him and JD now have more playing time.
Jankowski is a perfect 5th outfielder for this team.
Cano doesn’t fit on this roster. Guillorme is hitting better and is a more versatile and defensive player.
In the next two years this situation will come up constantly and be a distraction. For the sake of the team, they should release Cano.
The streak is in jeopardy with the 4 game series against the Braves. A split is expected.
Maybe McNeil should keep hitting higher in the order for a while.
Guillorme stays. A perfect Buck player, and a better hitter than Cano. Given consistent ABs, he hits .280 with high OBP… you know a better 8 or 9 hitter? And he catches the ball everywhere he plays.
Dom had a nice game and just in time. Let’s hope he can stay locked in and contribute at the back of the order. He hits no higher than 6 in my lineup.
Max got touched up but still gets a win. Mets need a strategy about Schwarber… lots of off-speed and not in the strike zone… so he walks.
Mets need to stop thinking this stream of his is an aberration. It may be why the Phillies wanted him.
The Mets offense is why they won this game. Just keep grinding at the plate and make the there team pitch… most teams can’t keep place. They should win a lot of games by three or four runs, taking pressure off the bullpen.
Cano is toast… a tearful good-bye today… (not). The Wilpon era Mets keep Cano and drop Jankowski… which is stupid.