In perhaps the most unlikely win of the season, the Mets’ bullpen was lousy but the defense bailed them out and the Mets won on a walkoff HBP to defeat the Rangers, 6-5, in 10 innings Wednesday night.
Daniel Vogelbach and DJ Stewart hit back-to-back homers and Brandon Nimmo had an RBI triple to stake the Mets to a 3-0 lead.
But while Denyi Reyes pitched well, he was lifted with a two-run lead and a runner on base. And then the bad bullpen took over. Sean Reid-Foley walked three batters to make it a one-run game. Brooks Raley came on in the eighth inning and gave up two walks and a hit. Adam Ottavino relieved him and allowed all three inherited runners to score, making it a 5-3 deficit.
But Stewart struck again, delivering a two-run homer to tie the game. Yet Stewart wasn’t done with heroics. He made a great running catch, one which saw him crash into the wall and set the wall a shaking. That helped keep the Rangers from going ahead in the ninth inning.
The game went into extra innings and Buck Showalter opted to send Jeff Brigham out for a second frame. That had disaster written all over it but the defense came up big. Again. One play that gets lost in the shuffle is that with the zombie runner on second base, Jonathan Arauz made a diving play to rob an extra-base hit. No out was recorded but it probably should have been a run on the board for the Rangers.
Brigham loaded the bases and then got more defensive help, first with a line drive up the middle that was snared for the first out. Then Pete Alonso made a nice play fielding a ball before it could go foul and threw home to start a 3-2-4 double play to end the inning with no runs scoring.
The Mets loaded the bases in their half of the 10th and Stewart capped his night by getting hit by a pitch to end the game. Stewart now has a 1.015 OPS for the year. And the Mets are now 7-2 in extra inning games this season.
As fun a win as we’ve seen in a while. The way they held them off in the tenth and then came right back getting guys on was big. And what a catch by Stewart along with 2HR and a legit hit by pitch to win the game. Nice surprise start on the mound tonight and much appreciated. Here comes Mauricio – finally!
The box has Vogelbach having one at-bat. I haven’t seen any explanation in the papers. Was he injured?
He also had a walk. A LHP was in the game and they PH Alvarez for him.
Gut Reaction: Reyes pitched a good game and the starting pitchers have have stringed up good games this time in the rotation. (Except Carrasco). Who would have thought? I’m glad they had a pitch clock in this game because every batter had
a three and two count. The bullpen was awful but the defense was exceptional.
I am enjoying JD Stewart’s heroics. It reminds me of the John Buck in April of 2013 where he hit 9 home runs and had a OPS of .844. He ended up the season with 15 home runs and a OPS of 653. I hope Stewart’s fate is better.
Metsense – Johnny Buck, great comp!
Nice comeback win last night.
I almost didn’t watch the game: Reyes starting?! What?! Of course, he was terrific!
Stewart: Gotta love him! Sign him for next year!
It will be fun watching Mauricio and Alvarez (and Baty?) in September!
Alvarez and Baty for Mike Trout?