Eduardo Escobar homered for the third straight game and the Mets got good efforts from both their starter and their relievers, resulting in a 4-1 win over the Rangers on Sunday, giving the Mets the series win.
Carlos Carrasco had been hit hard his previous four starts but he was very effective, if not efficient, against the Rangers. He allowed just a solo homer in 5.2 IP, leaving the game after throwing 102 pitches.
Buck Showalter gave Carrasco an opportunity to finish the sixth, even with a lefty at the plate and Joely Rodriguez warming up in the pen. Carrasco gave up a single and Showalter brought on Rodriguez, who struck out Kole Calhoun to end the inning.
Rodriguez was sent back out in the seventh, despite a rested pen, and he made Showalter look good, as he struck out two and did not allow a run. Adam Ottavino and Edwin Diaz closed the door.
Escobar cracked a two-run homer to give the Mets breathing room. They also scored on a home run by Starling Marte in the first inning and they took advantage of poor fielding by the catcher for their other run.
Pete Alonso struck out and the ball got away from the catcher. Alonso hustled to first base and made the catcher rush his throw, which ended up getting away from the first baseman, allowing Alonso to take second base. Jeff McNeil followed with an RBI double.
It felt like this series was harder than it should have been for the Mets. But they faced the Rangers’ two best pitchers while having several of their own players mired in a slump. Two out of three is a good outcome and hopefully the hitters will cut loose playing next in Great American Ball Park, a hitter-friendly venue.
102 pitches, 69 of them for strikes, in 5.2 innings. That was Jon Gray’s line, but it was also Carlos Carrasco’s line. The Rangers aren’t a good offensive team, thank God. Yes, they can run into one occasionally, but throwing 102 pitches in less than six innings is poor command. Glad for the win, but I just expect more from Corrasco and if Jake comes back, Carrasco will be the #5 guy. Picking up his option right now is a debate.
Nimmo is down to .269 as he continues to do his best Conforto impression of not relaxing and playing his game but trying too hard to impress. His .352 OBP and .766 OPS would be the worst since his rookie year, even worse than when he hit .221 for the year in 2019 when he hurt the disc in his neck running into the center field wall and tried to play through it. Too, for the first time in his career he has more ground balls than fly balls. Something is going on with this guy, and it’s not pointing up.
Glad the Mets are done with their two step partners, I’m tired of being blacked out even against teams seven hours by car from me. That’s how long it took my to go visit relatives in Cleveland when I used to live in Brooklyn.
Gut Reaction: Another series win. They are so consistent this year.
Carrasco had a nice bounce back effort. Escobar has heated up with his power bat. Maybe Brian should write an article in titled, “What will the Mets do with Smith and Davis?”
Marte is hitting also and Diaz is impressive. deGrom is on his way back. Five strikeouts in 1 2/3 innings reaching 100 MPH.
Maybe the Mets offense will treat us to fireworks tonight, the July 4th, at the Small American Ballpark. Two of three is expected against the “Reds” for this Independence Day series. It would be the American thing to do. Happy Independence Day! LGM
Nice win.
The Mets need to beat up on the Reds and Marlins before they face the Braves.
I think I will complain about Carrasco some more. Every time I rag on him, he goes out and throws a gem. Need more gems than bombs.
I think my biggest worry is deGrom getting hurt again. He was throwing bullets over 100 in his rehab start. I am not as worried about Scherzer.
So far, for a half season, it has been fun. Let’s hope Alonso and Lindor keep up their production and hope Escobar continues to leave his funk behind him.