After Jacob deGrom failed to hold a three-run lead, two guys barely holding onto a roster spot came up big and helped lead the Mets to a 7-3 win over the Pirates and a sweep of the four-game series.
Joely Rodriguez has been the subject of ridicule more times than not this year but he gave the Mets two scoreless innings in a high-leverage spot with the game tied. And he ended up picking up his first win of the year, as the Mets scored four runs in the bottom of the eighth.
Tomas Nido led off the eighth inning with a single and was replace by pinch-runner Terrance Gore, who’s been on the roster for awhile but is far from a sure thing to be there when the playoffs start. Regardless, Gore stole second base and advance to third when the throw went into the outfield. Gore then scored the winning run on a bloop hit by Brandon Nimmo.
The Mets added on with a two-run single by Daniel Vogelbach and an RBI groundout by Eduardo Escobar.
Vogelbach, who went thru an extended cold streak, broke out in a big way in this series against the Pirates. He went 5-8 with a double, homer, 5 BB and 6 RBIs.
Meanwhile, deGrom was great until hitting a wall in the sixth inning. He allowed a leadoff double but then recorded 13 strikeouts by the end of the fifth inning while completely shutting down the Pirates. But the bottom two batters reached base against him in the sixth and then he gave up a three-run homer before being removed by Buck Showalter.
The pen did a wonderful job, throwing four scoreless innings. And they added to deGrom’s strikeouts, as four pitchers combined for 20 strikeouts.
Mets took care of business against the Pirates.
Gut Reaction: six walks by Pirate pitching. Four errors by Pirate defensive. Lackadaisical and uninspired play from the Pirates. Eighteen chances for the Mets with RISP. Only seven runs scored for the Mets and eight innings to secure the victory.
Pinch runner Gore was the difference in this game.
The bullpen was excellent especially Rodriguez. In his last 3 games, 0 ER allowed , 5 innings and 7 strikeouts. Very impressive.
Vogelbach had a really good series also. They need his bat.
The Brewers series will be tough competition. They’re two out of the playoffs. The Mets needs to win two out of three. LGM
beat the brew crew tomorrow with Scherzer on the mount and we clinch a playoff spot. not the ultimate goal but something to be celebrated.
Needed to sweep to stay ahead of the Braves and we did. We are going to have to just keep winning and let the Braves keep chasing us. Vogelbach breaking out is certainly noticeable. Gore’s speed highlights our almost lack of speed. What a great weapon he could be but do we have a roster spot for him? Three hits by Nimmo and 2 each for Lindor and McNeil, who is hitting an amazing .320. Can’t wait for Max’s return tomorrow and a win clinches a playoff spot. Since that was a given I’d expect some field celebration but not much more. Let’s keep the streak going. LGM