Beggars can’t be choosers.
You’d like to think that with Max Scherzer pitching on a day that the offense scored eight runs, you wouldn’t have to use all four of your best relievers. But that’s what happened. Hey, at least the Mets won, as they downed the D’Backs, 8-5, Tuesday afternoon in Phoenix. It was the third straight victory for the club.
Starling Marte hit a three-run homer to give Scherzer a 3-1 lead. But then the Mets’ ace allowed back-to-back homers and the game was tied. Brandon Nimmo continued his HR barrage with a solo shot to put the Mets back in front. But Scherzer issued a bases-loaded walk and the game was tied again.
It was such an odd game for Scherzer, one where he was dominant at times yet fortunate to only allow four runs. In 6 IP, he allowed 4 ER, 3 HR yet had 9 Ks. And with Francisco Alvarez breaking the tie with a two-run homer in the top of the seventh, Scherzer upped his record to 9-2.
Brooks Raley and Adam Ottavino gave the Mets a scoreless inning apiece. Meanwhile, the Mets scratched out a run in the eighth inning and Francisco Lindor delivered an RBI double in the ninth to give the Mets a four-run lead.
Drew Smith took the mound in the bottom of the ninth and got two outs but when he put his second runner on base, Buck Showalter brought in David Robertson as it was now a save situation. Robertson gave up a single to load the bases and then walked a run in. But he got the next batter to ground into a fielder’s choice and end the game, giving the Mets a road win over a team that was 15 games over .500 coming into the afternoon.
It was the kind of game that the Mets would have lost in June with the opposition cashing in on a bases loaded situation with a big hit. But it didn’t happen. 3-0 in July is a great start and that we are now just 6.5 games out of a wild card spot is either a tease or something to be hopeful about. It’s about time Marte had a big game. And let’s give a little credit to Vogelbach for getting that 7th inning walk where PR Stewart scored ahead of the Alvarez blast. Can’t say enough about tack on runs that put the pressure on the opposition. Senga against Henry tonight is a chance for four in a row and a series win. That would be two series wins in a row if they can do it. It’s always one day at a time but there is no time like the present to stay on the current course.
Gut Reaction: the Mets won because they didn’t use their middle relief pitching. Alvarez, with experience, will be a middle of the order bat because of his power. When he isn’t catching he should be the DH. Alonso, Lindor and him are potentially be 30 homer bats. He has a bright future in a position that usually doesn’t have that kind of production.
I like NTM6986 upbeat enthusiasm. Let’s go Mets!