Francisco Alvarez delivered a two-run double in the bottom of the sixth inning to put the Mets up by a run in a game they would go on to win, 5-3, over the Braves and give them a split of the Monday doubleheader at Citi Field.
The Mets led, 2-0, before the Braves loaded the bases and came up with a three-run double in the top of the sixth inning. Daniel Voelbach got the winning rally started with a one-out walk and he advanced to second on a Mark Canha walk. One out later, Alvarez ripped a ball into left field, driving both runners in.
Jeff McNeil added an insurance run in the eighth inning, as he belted a leadoff homer to right field. Daniel Robertson produced a six-out save to clinch the win, picking up his sixth save of the season.
In the first inning of the opening game, Gary Cohen said the Mets were hoping to get 3 IP out of starter Denyi Reyes. Why did the send down Jose Butto, who already had given the Mets starts with 5 IP and 4.2 IP to use a guy they hoped could give them 3 IP? It made no sense whatsoever.
And Reyes didn’t give them those innings, either. Instead, he was hammered for 5 ER in an inning plus. It truly looked like he was pitching batting practice.
The Mets staged a gallant comeback, with Pete Alonso socking a 3-run homer in the third inning and Brett Baty cracking a solo shot in the sixth to bring the Mets within a run. But Jeff Brigham gave most of those runs back in the seventh, as he served up a 3-run homer.
The Mets continued to fight back, as they scored two runs with the aid of an error in their half of the seventh and Eduardo Escobar added a solo shot in the ninth. But their rallies fell short, as they dropped the opener by a 9-8 score.
I missed both games but it seems undeniable that Baty has “arrived.” Watching the highlights, it was impossible to miss the lasers coming off his bat. Alvarez seems to be coming along too. Last I looked, nearly 40% of his Ks this year came in his first three games. As these guys grow into their roles perhaps they will add the firepower needed to help out Alonso and Lindor. McNeil (recent HRs notwithstanding), Nimmo, and Marte can be elite table-setters but having a couple more bona fide mashers will upgrade this lineup considerably.
Baty appeared in AAA to be fully ready and confident and his promotion was timely. While he should see ups and downs, as any player, he was promoted because it was time.
Alvarez was hitting in AAA but he was not nearly as ready when the call came. Yesterday I saw a nice change in how he looked at the plate and his boosted confidence paid dividends. I’ll also note that he stopped a number of balls in the dirt and saved some runs.
I am begging Buck to play Alvarez more and to move Baty up in the lineup.
Was happy to see the Mets claw back in game one but again that three run blast off of Brigham was a back breaker. It’s not the first time that Murphy has taken them deep with a big HR. Was worried about a sweep with Morton on the mound but we did not give up. Vogelbach is up to .275 and I will gladly eat my negative words about him if he keeps on stroking. Baty at .333 and Alvarez solidly above the Mendoza line are quite encouraging. Time to tame the 10-17 Tigers with Lucchesi, Scherzer and Verlander. OMG two star pitchers and one very surprising rookie in a three game set. Time to start a streak.
Time to start thinking about moving Baty & Alvarez up in the lineup…..and move Marte & Canha down. Expect to see Vientos and Mauricio up soon. Without pitching though, a revitalized offense means nothing.
And I concur with Brian’s statement regarding Butto…….seems like Mets management and front office are one of this teams worse enemies.
Gut Reaction: it is hard to sweep a double header from a good team. I didn’t expect the Mets to do that especially when they have an inexperienced pitcher starting one of the games. Butto has 13.2 innings of MLB experience and Reyes had 14 innings.
Baty has been impressive. He will shortly he will be the full third baseman because he can hit LHP. Escobar need some at bats though to keep his value for the trade deadline or being a useful bench player.
Finally we will see Scherzer the Verlander pitch. Even Lucchesi, a starter for the Padres before he had TJ surgery, brings some stability to the rotation.
Megill complete the sixth inning which is the pattern for the Mets starting pitchers this year. Robertson is so good.
I’d like to see Baty hitting behind Pete, though I understand it’s not going to happen instantly. He looks really solid and his selectivity at the plate, combined with his power, suggest that he’ll alwoys be a good OBP guy even when he’s not thumping.
Broken record but: Guillorme can’t play when we have Escobar sitting on the bench.