Francisco Lindor didn’t start the game yet ended up with four RBIS, including two in the 1th inning, leading the Mets to a 7-6 win over the Cubs Thursday afternoon. The victory gave the Mets a split of the four-game series and put the club back over .500 at 16-15.
The Cubs scored the go-ahead run in the top of the 11th but were held to just one run thanks to Starling Marte throwing out a runner at the plate. Marte’s throw got to the plate in plenty of time but the runner was able to elude Omar Narvaez’ tag. The ump didn’t make a call and there was a mad dash to the plate, with Narvaez applying the tag to end the inning.
It was the second outfield assist for Marte in extra innings. On the first one, Narvaez made a nice play catching the ball on a hop and tagging the runner in a bang-bang play to end the 10th.
In the Mets’ half of the 11th, Harrison Bader was hit by a pitch, putting two runners on base and bringing up Lindor, who entered in the sixth inning as a pinch-hitter and had a two-run double to pull the Mets within a run at 5-4. Lindor doubled again, scoring two runs as Bader raced around from first to score the winning run.
It was a strong day at the plate for Bader, who got the Mets’ first hit of the game in the fifth inning and followed with another single in the sixth. He scored all three times he reached base.
Adrian Houser started for the Mets and allowed 4 ER with 4 BB in 5 IP. It wasn’t a good start but there were some encouraging signs, as he induced 10 ground ball outs. It may be a case of too little, too late, though.
The Mets battled back from 4-0, 5-2 and 6-5 deficits in the game. In addition to the big games for Lindor and Bader, Brandon Nimmo had a single, a double, a walk and drove in two, giving him 20 RBIs in 30 games.
Brett Baty made a bunch of strong plays in the field and also contributed two walks and two runs scored.
Nice win. Yep, ole Pete down to .218.
Pete has to be pressing. His defense doesn’t look right, his hitting is inconsistent, and I’m wondering if he had the sliding glove if he is safe in the ninth inning the other night as his bare hand wouldn’t have bounced on the dirt and gone over the plate but rather slid on it. Hindsight: if he goes in feet first he is safe, and it’s safer. On Fangraphs there’s an article on some free agents this winter. Alonso is covered in the piece.
As for the game, they played like they had to have it. I understand that Houser got 10 ground balls, but still had 4 walks and two strikeouts in five innings. Christian Scott is coming…
Gut Reaction: this was an exciting game! Marte’s two throws and Narvaez 2 tags were key . Marte has rebound from his dismal year and now is playing similar to his career numbers. Houser didn’t help his hold for his rotation spot. If Christian Scott has a good game in his debut then Houser we be bounced. The bullpen was excellent again with. Daniel Young getting the win.
Young may become very important as Brooks Raley is likely headed for TJS.
Nice comeback and a good win, especially mood-wise. The Mets seem to be kind of hanging on, fending off a brutal losing streak and plunge below .500. Time will tell if this treading water helps them to find better times, or if it deferring the inevitable descent into seller status. Pete is lost, the injuries are mounting, and the offense is invisible through the first two rounds of ABs. With those conditions, the season could be lost already, so the glass is still half-full.
Two players of great concern before the season started were Marte and Baty. Well Marte is back, not only at the dish but in the field. Can’t say I remember that cannon of an arm but wow he can throw and on target. We missed that last year with whomever occupied RF. Baty still hits too many soft balls but he’s holding his own batting .250 near the end of the order and his play at 3B would appear to be above average. Nimmo can’t get untracked but he leads the team with 20 RBI from the leadoff spot. Is Lindor back? Hope so. He’s looked better at the plate with two clutch hits yesterday and even everyone’s offensive punching bag, Bader, had a couple of hits and scored three runs. And another pretty good day from the pen after Houser sweated through 5 innings. Walks are plaguing every starter and needs to get better to succeed. Happy for the series split that could have been a sweep with a little offense in games 1 and 3. Quintana for the series opener against the slumping Rays down in the sunshine state. Pitching match ups favor the Mets for all three games.
It’s not holding your own to bat .250 with no power and no speed. Baty’s a drain on the offense with his 85 OPS+, which will soon be under the Galvis Line. In his last 16 games, Baty has a .163/.280/.186 line. That’s a .466 OPS or even worse than he was last year. He needs to go to Triple-A for at least 200 PA.