The Mets rallied for two runs in the ninth inning after two were out to earn a 2-1 win over the Diamondbacks Wednesday night in Arizona. It was the Mets’ fourth-straight win.
With Andrew Chafin and his 2.83 ERA on the mound looking to lock down the save, Francisco Alvarez had a 2-2 count and the D’Backs were a strike away from the win. But Alvarez laid off ball three and then fouled off the next offering. And then he tied the game with an opposite field homer. Brett Baty followed with a single. And then Mark Canha hit an RBI triple for the game winner.
Kodai Senga was brilliant but looked like he was going to be a hard-luck loser. After six shutout innings, Senga allowed a solo homer leading off the seventh. But he recovered to get the next three hitters, the final two on strikeouts.
And then Buck Showalter sent him back out for the eighth inning. Senga retired the side in order and finished with 107 pitches. His final line was 8 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 12 Ks. He now has a 3.31 ERA for the year and a 7-5 record.
David Robertson pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning for his 13th save.
Key move was leaving Canha in to bat against the righty in the 7th even though Buck had lefties on the bench. It ain’t over till it’s over.
Gut Reaction: this was a great win, obviously. Senga was dominant. Robertson is reliable. I’m glad we have him.
Alvarez saved the game and celebrated like a 8-year-old. Baty had a clutch hit. Canha has the winning hit and he celebrated like as a professional, like the way he is. Lindor talked to Alvarez in the dugout and I wish I was a fly on the wall to listen. Maybe he told him to celebrate with a fist pump not a dance. Save the dancing to celebrate the World Series victory but right now they have plenty of work to do. Alvarez a is special player and his future is so bright. I like him very much.
You gotta love Alvarez’s jubilant reaction after he tied the game. Kind of similar to after he hit that 3 run homer to tie the game in the ninth vs Tampa. You can tell how much he loves the game and loves to be in the field.
Great win! Chafin is a tough lefty, but the Mets had three terrific at bats against him!
Alvarez is fantastic! I’m OK with his showing pride and enthusiasm! He wasn’t showing up the other team.
Big win for lots of reasons. Hoping for the good Cookie tonight to make it to five. Winning two series in a row and in such late inning fashion gives us hope again. LGM