After taking the first two games of the series off, the Mets’ offense showed up in a big way, pounding out 16 hits to earn a come from behind, 9-8, win over the Nationals to end a four-game losing streak Thursday night at Citi Field.
Trailing 8-7 in the eighth inning, Starling Marte started the winning rally with a single. He proceeded to steal second base and went to third on a long fly out by Francisco Lindor. Pete Alonso, who his previous time up snapped his 0-19 streak, smacked an RBI double to tie the game. Next up was Jeff McNeil, who pulled a ball that hit high up the wall in right field, which ended up being an RBI triple.
David Robertson pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning to pick up his fifth save of the season.
It never should have required a comeback. The Mets held a 7-3 lead but the bullpen, which had been so good this season, had a night to forget. It started off with Tommy Hunter letting two inherited runners to score, as well as three of his own. Brooks Raley returned the favor, coming on with the bases loaded and allowing all three runs to score. Two of those crossed the plate on a homer to LHB CJ Abrams, which made it 8-7.
Six different Mets recorded multi-hit games, including Brett Baty, who went 3-3 with a home run and a walk. After his big game Thursday, Baty is now slashing .321/.387/.464 in 31 PA. Lindor had two doubles and three RBIs, while Alonso had two hits, two runs and drove in two.
Francisco Alvarez had a walk, a hit and a run scored. But he was also hit twice in the back of his head on follow-thru swings and he did not come out for the ninth inning after being hit for the second time at the end of the eighth.
Next up for the Mets is a four-game set against the Braves, weather permitting.
Loved the comeback in the eighth- shades of last year. Baty coming alive and just when I think he should take Vogelbach’s DH spot, Vogey gets a couple of knocks. Pretty good second outing for Lucchesi – was rooting for him to get through the 6th, which he had a shot at doing. Lindor and Alonso out of their slumps in the nick of time.
Gut Reaction: the Mets got squirrely last night. In the five run inning the Met fans were going nuts. What is going on with the pitching staff that they give up so many home runs? The starting pitchers can’t complete the six inning. It is going to wear out the bullpen by the beginning of the summer. There is a ray of hope with Verlander and Scherzer. Last night and this season, as Alonso goes then so do the Mets.
Phew
Big win.
I don’t like to first-guess every lineup, but if it was me tonight vs. LH Fried:
Baty DH
Escobar 3B
Pham LF
Alvarez C
Plus the usual 5.
Baty needs to play 85% of time, and needs opportunities to damage LHP; Alvarez 65%. Run with that and adjust later, as necessary.
Down the road, starting now, the Mets need to get Escobar playing some 2B, he’s a far, far more dangerous hitter/baserunner than Guillorme.
Canha instead of Pham and I ageed with this comment. Cahna has a hit 8 of his last 9 games he has appeared. Pham hasn’t had a hit in his is last 6 games that he appeared.
You get Canha at DH instead of Escobar, with Baty playing 3B