The Mets enjoyed a blowout in the first game, only to be unable to come up with any runs in the nightcap without a homer, as they split a pair with the Marlins Wednesday at Citi Field
The opening game saw the Mets hit three 2-run homers and tack on five runs without a long ball, as they notched an 11-2 victory. Pete Alonso, Francisco Lindor and Mark Vientos each went deep. It was an especially good game for Alonso, who broke out of a slump with a four-hit game. He got one more time at the plate, looking for both a rare 5-hit game, one where if he hit a triple he would have had a cycle, too. Instead, he was hit by a pitch.
The beneficiary of all of the runs was Joey Lucchesi, who pitched six scoreless innings before allowing two runs in the seventh. He picked up the win to run his record to 4-0. Gary Cohen said that Lucchesi became the first pitcher in franchise history to make at least nine starts and not lose a game.
The second game was a different story, as the only two runs for the Mets came on two solo homers by Lindor, giving him three HR for the day and 30 for the season, giving him a 30-30 year. It’s an impressive feat, even in this year where stolen bases are much easier to come by.
Still the game was tied 2-2 until the ninth inning, when Adam Ottavino loaded the bases with no outs and ultimately allowed two runs for the 4-2 final.
Kodai Senga started the game but only went five innings. Yet he kept his season-long ERA under 3.00 and he had 8 Ks, giving him 202 for the year. Senga became just the second rookie pitcher for the Mets to reach 200 strikeouts in a season, joining Dwight Gooden, who fanned 276 batters back in 1984.
Lucchesi should definitely be considered for the roster next season.
Lindor was super excited to achieve his first 30/30 season and he showed it getting around the bases and in the dugout. Baty rushing a play and not fielding it cleanly cost them the game, and even though the same exact thing happened to Lindor last week, it’s just another example of how the game is too fast for Baty.
Ive been saying this for some time. The game is too fast for Baty. Im not sure he can make up that ground.
You gotta make that play 99.9% of the time
Lindor also flubbed it last week against the Nats. I’m not ready to pass judgment yet.
Kudos to slow starter Lindor (even with the WBC) and hot-cold Alonso (and Nimmo and Senga) for their stats. They are pitching Pete low and away and inside a lot. I figured his 18th HBP was a new high for him, but alas, he had 21 in his rookie year! I wonder how he would do with Bellinger hitting behind him?