The Mets’ offense came out in a big way with 11 runs but the story of the game was Max Scherzer coming out of the game in a middle of an AB. After throwing a pitch, Scherzer immediately said he was done, going so far to make the throat-slash gesture. Later in the contest it was announced that he injured his left side, a relief that it wasn’t his pitching elbow. We should still expect an extended IL stint but that sure beats a season-ending injury.
The Mets jumped on top early with a two-run first inning but Scherzer gave that right back in the second inning. The game remained tied because the Mets failed to cash in on multiple opportunities. Finally, the Mets came thru with four runs in the bottom of the fifth.
The Scherzer injury happened in the sixth inning. Adam Ottavino got the final out of the frame and came back for the seventh inning. Then, with a 6-2 lead, Buck Showalter brought in Seth Lugo for a back-to-back. It was an extremely curious decision and one made even worse with Lugo giving up a two-run homer to Nolan Arenado, who now has 3 HR in 10 ABs versus Lugo.
But the Mets came back with a five-run eighth inning, one started by the bottom of the order and finished off with the stars. Brandon Nimmo hit an RBI triple and Pete Alonso hit a 3-run homer. The big inning allowed the Mets to avoid using Edwin Diaz, who will be available for the series finale Thursday afternoon.
Gut Reaction: the eighth inning, and the win, was a tourniquet after the Scherzer trauma.
Now Peterson and Williams will have to step up.
Mazeika had a good game with a double, a sacrifice bunt and a caught stealing with a nice throw. Guillorme was the other unsung hero the the hit to start the rally and his own safety squeeze resulting with a RBI. Small ball and big ball with Alsonso’s laser of a homerun. It is a good winning combination.
They are in position to take a series from another playoff team. LGM
Unlike the previous years, the team is talented enough to overcome lulls more quickly and bounce back. Recently the Mets have been inching dangerously close to the look of the 2021 team… poor hitting with RISP, players in prolonged slumps, squandering good pitching, bullpen blowing leads.
But winning teams have better players who rise up more predictably, and the Mets have a few guys every game who manage to come through:
McNeil is locked-in.
Alonso is legit.
Nimmo, Marte, Canha offer positive offense each game.
Guillermo and Jankowski integral off the bench…
Escobar and JD Davis can find it, should find it.
Lindor? Still waiting…
Smith and Nido seem lost.
But pitching is still the key. If Max is down for a while, Bassett will need to buckle down… could be good for him. Carrasco will need to show his veteran will, and Taijuan become quietly dependable. It’s a long season, and the challenges are just beginning… no one’s handing out cake.
You got the safety squeeze you were asking for and it worked!
13-1 in games after a loss.