Carlos Carrasco and Seth Lugo combined on a shutout in the nightcap, giving the Mets a sweep of the doubleheader versus the Braves on Tuesday. The Mets won the opener, 5-4 and took the second game by a 3-0 margin. With the wins, the Mets are 18-8 on the season.
Carrasco seemingly had baserunners in every inning but was able to pitch out of it each time. He went eight innings and on a warmer night he might have gone back out for the ninth. Lugo channeled Carrasco’s pitching by giving up a leadoff hit. But a fly out and a double play ended the Braves’ night. Atlanta finished the game 0-11 with RISP, so they certainly had their chances. But instead it ended up an excellent bounce-back start for Carrasco, who was hit hard last time out.
Dominic Smith gave the Mets the early lead with a two-run double in the first inning and Pete Alonso capped the scoring with a solo homer in the sixth,
In the opener, the Mets jumped on top early, plating two runs in both the first and second innings thanks to two-run singles by Alonso and Eduardo Escobar. Singles was the theme of the game for the Mets, as they did not have an extra-base hit while scoring five runs.
David Peterson was called up to make a start in the doubleheader and was sent out for the opener. The final line doesn’t look impressive but he was not far removed from throwing five scoreless frames. The Braves scored their first run thanks to a play that’s hard to believe. The third base ump called a ball hit by Dansby Swanson fair that was clearly foul. And for some incredible reason, it’s a play that can’t be reviewed. This isn’t football, where you can’t overturn a play where the official blows a whistle.
That put runners on second and third and the Braves got a run on a sacrifice fly.
Peterson has no one to blame but himself for the other runs by the Braves. With a runner on first, Peterson induced a comebacker that had a chance to be a double play. Except for the fact that he didn’t catch the ball. So, the inning continued and the next batter hit a 3-run homer.
Instead of a comfortable 4-run lead, the Mets clung to a 5-4 advantage. But Adam Ottavino, Drew Smith and Edwin Diaz closed the door, with Smith giving two scoreless frames.
Buck Showalter has done a really nice job manipulating the bullpen, bending over backwards to keep guys from pitching in back-to-back games or three times in four days. A reliever may possibly go back-to-back on Wednesday given the doubleheader but that will be the exception.
Great team win(s)
Excellent resilience and bounce back performances after last night.
Great position home in another series tomorrow and extend our lead in the division.
Great. Excellent. Great.
Jankowski was the story in the first game.
Gut Reaction: In Game 1 it was enjoyable to watch the Mets make contact and tack on runs more. The bullpen was spotless. Game 2 was Carrasco with his crafty pitching along with Dom’s early two out clutch hit. It was an enjoyable afternoon.
Today they can win their eight straight series and separate them from the Braves by 8 games in the standings. That’s heady stuff but remember that it’s still early in the season. LGM.
One thing I heard on the Braves broadcast is that the mets are last or near last in hard-hit balls for the whole MLB. Chip cant get over that the Mets are winning despite weak hitting while he braves linger in the sewer but hitting the ball hard.
I notice each Mets loss sends me stumbling backwards toward WilponLand. That mysterious place on the map where teams lose close ballgames, fall apart easily, and always disappoint. I expect a collapse and a ten game skid.
I have a dream-like, shadowy memory the billboard announcing “You Are Leaving WilponLand”… but like an abuse victim, I was unable to believe it nor comprehend what it meant… that the bad man was not going to hit me again.
This day did a lot toward helping me forget. Pitchers not blowing leads, hitters getting clutch hits, and the Mets not crumbling at the Braves’ feet…
Welcome to CohenLand!!!
The DH sweep helped clear the room of the Cano scent ( I purposefully did not say stench). Jankowski made a difference and set the tone for the day. Guillorme earned his spot. Dom Smith is becoming relevant. One might only wonder what happens if one of those three are gone and we have Cano in the lineup instead. No, this team is jelling… becoming a whole.
Peterson wobbled after his ridiculous error, but the bullpen held!
Drew Smith looked great.
Both JD and Marte will come around.
Carrasco… how does he get people out? What a bonus!
Pete is a much better hitter this year… really maturing.
McNeil clearly having fun again.
Will Lindor be dropped in the order, or is he our “special” boy?
Just finished reading the ESPN article about the condition of the baseballs and how it has diminished the number of home runs hit in April. It would be interesting to observe how many balls are being caught near or at the wall in May for the Mets and their opponents to anticipate how our pitching might hold up in the hot months.