After using power in regulation, the Mets cranked up the wild pitch offense to push across the go-ahead run in the 10th and held on to defeat the A’s, 4-3, and earn a sweep of the three-game series.
Francisco Alvarez led off the 10th and hit a deep line drive to push the zombie runner over to third base. One out later, Starling Marte kept the inning alive with a walk and he stole second base to put two runners in scoring position for Francisco Lindor. The go-ahead run scored on a ball four wild pitch to Lindor. Pete Alonso walked to load the bases and the Mets pinch-hit Daniel Vogelbach. With a three-ball count, Vogelbach smoked a ball to the tune of a 103.7 exit value. But it stayed on the ground and was right at the second baseman for the final out of the inning.
David Robertson came on to pitch the bottom of the 10th and hit the first batter to put two runners on base. The A’s tried to move the runners along, but Robertson fielded the bunt and got the lead runner out at third. But Oakland got its desired result when Robertson spiked a pitch that Alvarez was unable to stop.
Buck Showalter made a gutsy call bringing the infield in. A single past the drawn-in infield would give the A’s the win. Instead, Robertson induced a grounder right to Alonso and the runners did not advance. And Robertson got the save when he got a grounder to Eduardo Escobar for the final out of the game.
It took two big plays in the ninth to get into extra innings for the Mets, the first time this season they went past nine innings. The first was a monster home run by Alonso, which tied the game 3-3. And the second came in the bottom of the frame, a diving catch by Brandon Nimmo, which happened with two runners on. It was the second big catch of the day by Nimmo, who also made a nice catch in the second inning where he ran a long way and dove to secure the out.
Jose Butto had a much better game than his outing last year. He pitched to one batter in the sixth inning and allowed just one run. Denyi Reyes came out of the pen to give the Mets two scoreless innings. But John Curtiss gave up two runs in the eighth and was on the hook for the loss before Alonso’s big blast.
The Mets had three solo homers in the game. Tommy Pham got the Mets on the board first with a homer in the second inning and Francisco Lindor put the Mets back in front with a homer in the sixth.
With the win, the Mets move to 10-6 on the year and they’re riding a four-game winning streak. The quality of opposition takes a big step forward, as the club moves on to Los Angeles to square off against the Dodgers.
Dodger series should be fun. Bhutto pitched well. Wondering who the Mets will drop for Baty?
Rumor & speculation is that it’ll be Locastro. I myself can think of others who should be farmed out instead.
Gut Reaction: Nimmo as established himself as a good defensive centerfielder. His catch in the 9th inning save the game. Alonso is on fire and him and Lindor have been carrying the offense. Pham has become the best bench player that the Mets have in the early going. Butto pitched a good game and get another chance as a depth starter. Recently called up, Yacabonis, pitch the 9th inning in a tie game. A secure manager can do those types of things. Robertson again was clutch and scoreless and secured the sweep.
Need to sweep a team like the A’s and we did. They are not a good team. Nice to put the game in the win column comeback each time they were down. Refreshing start by Butto despite his 4 walks in five innings. Just what we needed with Max unavailable. Off to LA.
Mets offense tried very hard to lose this game but the defense would not allow it. Yes, it is vs. the lowly As, but winning a very lose-able road game is always a good thing.