In a game that shouldn’t have been anywhere near this close, the Mets escaped with a 4-3 win over the Pirates Friday night. It was the team’s 91st win of the season, the most the club has won in a year since 2006.
Taijuan Walker took the mound against a sub-.500 team and pitched great, just like his track record predicted he would. Through seven innings, he allowed just one unearned run. Buck Showalter gave him the chance to pitch the eighth but unlike Carlos Carrasco yesterday, Walker did not reward his manager’s faith, as he gave up a two-run homer which prompted Edwin Diaz to come out for a five-out save.
The Mets scored early, putting up single runs in the third and fourth innings and then again in the sixth and seventh. The first run was an exciting play, as Eduardo Escobar scored from first on a bloop to right by Tomas Nido. The broadcasters couldn’t determine if it was a hit-and-run or a steal attempt by Escobar. Either way, he was safe at the plate thanks to a poor throw by the right fielder.
Daniel Vogelbach homered to left center for the Mets’ second run of the game.
While the Mets scored runs in two of the last three innings they batted, they could have broken the game open but failed to capitalize on good scoring chances. They had runners on first and third and no outs in the sixth with the heart of the order coming up and managed just one run. In the seventh, they had a run in, two runners on base, no outs and 2-3-4 in the order coming up and did not score any more runs. Then, in the eighth inning, they had a runner on third base and one out and couldn’t get him home.
Diaz did fine in the eighth inning relieving Walker but the ninth was a bit of a challenge. He issued a leadoff walk on four pitches and the runner proceeded to steal second base. But the Mets challenged the call and replay showed that Luis Guillorme successfully blocked the bag and the call was overturned. After a strikeout, the next batter hit one deep to right field but Jeff McNeil had room to make the catch and give the Mets the win.
McNeil also made a terrific play in the fifth inning, making a leaping grab of a ball that looked like it was going to hit the orange line at the top of the fence. There were two runners on base and if McNeil doesn’t make the grab, they both likely score.
Got a little more than nervous when Diaz walked the first batter in the 9th and kudos to Luis for blocking second on that steal attempt and for the accuracy of Nido’s throw. Great play in RF by McNeil who rarely is at that position. This win was exactly what we needed to do with yet another Braves explosion late to murder the Phillies. Vogelbach with an HR and 2 walks is the DH we traded for. Everyone is waiting for Walker to deteriorate like he did second half last year but he threw a great game. I like our chances of a sweep with Bassitt and deGrom up next but we still have to hit. Loved my chances seeing Jake live last Tuesday but we know how that turned out. It’s one game at a time but we need to beat these awful teams. LGM
Gut Reaction: they did enough to win. Walker gave them length. Vogelbach gave them production in the DH role. They still hadn’t the hit break open the game but they tacked one runs. Diaz wasn’t sharp but did manage to get the save. Somehow he has to pitch at least 3 – 4 days so he can stay sharp. It isn’t gripe but an observation. Showalter is managing the bullpen efficiently and effective . LGM