The Mets fell behind by three runs but put up two crooked run innings late to defeat the Pirates, 6-3, in the opener of a three-game set Monday night at City Field. The victory got the Mets to .500 at 8-8.
Starling Marte and Francisco Lindor opened the bottom of the sixth inning with back-to-back singles. Brett Baty blooped a one-out single to load the bases. Francisco Alvarez drew a walk to get the Mets on the board and they cut the deficit to one run when the right fielder made a throw that looked like a QB spiking the ball to stop the clock after making a running grab on a ball hit by Jeff McNeil. DJ Stewart ripped a double to tie the game.
The Mets started the winning rally in the eighth inning off Aroldis Chapman. With one out, it seemed like McNeil intentionally swung at a pitch far outside to get on first. Whether he did or not, that was the outcome. And then Chapman melted down over some pitches the home plate umpire didn’t give him. He walked Stewart and then the Mets pulled off a double steal, putting two runners in scoring position.
Harrison Bader, who had a nubber in the eighth inning Sunday for an RBI, smacked a double that drove in two runs and put the Mets in the lead. Chapman had words with the plate umpire and was kicked out of the game for arguing balls and strikes. Bader stole third base and scored on a bang-bang play at the plate on a ball hit to the second baseman. The throw was high and Bader slid in under the tag.
Edwin Diaz pitched the ninth inning and picked up his fourth save of the year.
Adrian Houser got the start and gave up just two hits but allowed 5 BB in 5.1 IP and was charged with two runs. Once again, Brooks Raley and Adam Ottavino came up big, each pitching a scoreless inning with two strikeouts. Ottavino got his first win of the year and lowered his ERA to 2.57 with the outing.
It was the sixth time in seven games where the Mets scored at least five runs. After the struggles offensively the first week of the season, it’s nice to see the hitters getting untracked like this. Marte and Lindor had two hits apiece to pace the Mets, who had eight hits and four walks while posting their eighth win in their last 11 games.
Bader hit a 98 mph FB from Chapman. And he can run and field. He might not be worth the $10.5 million contract, but I’m warming up to him a bit.
Happy Mets got back to .500. Thought it would take them all of April, not mid April to get back to this ! Also, without Senga and JDM whom both will help big. Kuddos to Mets bullpen. It is better than I would have expected. Otto, Raley, Smith, Diaz have been very good. One or two more guys that can step up in the BP would be welcome but I am not complaining with these four performing. Something is up with all the arms in MLB going down. The Mets have some depth in this area and would like to see a 6 man rotation to keep them fresh and healthy. Once Senga returns, they can do it and it really helps him. Senga, Quintana, Severino, Manaea, Butto, Houser or Lucchesi could be the six. Or, add Christian Scott from AAA if one of those go down.
Play 500 against the good teams, clean up vs. the poor ones. The Mets have yet to play Colorado, Miami, Washington, the White Sox and the A’s. Big west coast trip looming.