Eduardo Escobar belted a three-run homer, David Peterson gave a Quality Start and the bullpen came thru like you’d draw it up on the board. It all added up to a 4-3 win over the Rangers, snapping the team’s first three-game losing streak of the season.
Escobar’s blast broke up a 1-1 tie and he got all of it. It went into the upper deck and was listed at 417 feet to right field. It was his seventh homer of the season and fourth at Citi Field.
Peterson looked sharp but also had some trouble with the gopher ball. He finished with 10 Ks in 6 IP but allowed 2 HR. But it was the type of effort we’d like to see from him each time out.
Seth Lugo started the seventh inning and once again offered a scoreless frame and Adam Ottavino did the same in the eighth, with more of an effort. And Edwin Diaz fanned two in the ninth to earn his 17th save of the season.
The schedule is easier in July and the Mets got off to a good start with the win.
Escobar hit eighth in the lineup and I hope one hit doesn’t raise him in the order. Yes, it was a three run homer, but guys in the eighth and ninth spot hit homeruns too. Also, his “starting a new year” approach sounds good, but flipping the switch isn’t quite that simple.
Peterson and his fellow pitching mates were good enough to use that amount of runs to bring in a victory. It was very nice of the Rangers to put four lefty batters in the starting lineup to help Peterson have an advantage of sorts. Too, their batting averages for a team that plays in that ballpark are disgraceful.
I applaud the Mets approach of not using their prospects to get a DH but wanting to use money instead. A DH can’t be too hard to find from teams out of the race whose owners want to save a buck on a potential free agent anyway.
Gut Reaction: Peterson impressive in that he was efficient, 90 pitches, gave length with six innings and importantly didn’t walk anyone. Showalter had faith him by he’s sticking with him in the sixth inning with one on and 2 outs and Peterson rewarded him with a strikeout to finish his night. Showalter also stuck with Escobar against a RHP and was rewarded with a game deciding homerun. Diaz has been money in the bank.
Apple TV isn’t enjoyable to listen to. One more victory wins the series. LGM