The Mets clubbed three more home runs en route to a 12-2 stomping of the Yankees Wednesday night at Citi Field. They now have 24 HR in their last 10 games. The win gave them a sweep of the two-game series and they’ve now gone 11-6 in their last 17 matchups with the Yankees.
The Mets scored all the runs they’d need in this game in the third inning. Francisco Lindor hit his second double of the game and scored on a bloop by J.D. Martinez. Lindor did a great job of reading the ball off the bat and made it home without a throw, despite how shallow Juan Soto was playing in right field, something that would bite him multiple times later in the game.
Francisco Alvarez, who was a perfect 3-for-3 with a walk on the night, took a high pitch and hit a frozen rope to right field for a two-run homer and a 3-0 lead.
Alvarez doubled home Brandon Nimmo to give the Mets a 4-0 lead in the fifth inning before the heavens opened up and caused a nearly 90-minute rain delay. But the break in the action couldn’t stop the Mets’ bats, as they ended up with four runs in the inning.
The rain beat Carlos Mendoz in ending Sean Manaea’s start early. After a shaky first inning, Manaea settled in to throw five shutout frames, lowering his ERA to 3.89 in the process. The win upped his mark to 5-3 for the year. After back-to-back rocky starts to begin June, Manaea has thrown 15.2 IP and allowed 4 ER for a 2.30 ERA in his last three starts.
Alvarez has been on an incredible hot streak at the plate but he hasn’t gotten enough credit for his work with the pitchers. This was his sixth time catching Manaea this season and in those starts, Manaea has allowed just 5 ER in 27.2 IP for a 1.63 ERA. In his other 10 starts, Manaea has allowed 28 ER in 48.2 IP for a 5.18 ERA.
In all, the Mets had 12 R on 12 H, 7 BB and 3 HBP. Harrison Bader joined Alvarez and Lindor with a multi-hit game, delivering a double and a homer. In his last 11 games, Bader has delivered 8 XBH, giving him great power numbers to go along with the hits falling in.
Tyrone Taylor hit a three-run homer in the sixth inning, his first HR since April 24. After a lousy May, Taylor is back to being a productive hitter here in June. And he made a nice defensive play in the ninth inning, tracking down a ball in right field and uncorking a strong throw on the run to hold the runner at third base.
Adrian Houser pitched three scoreless innings and picked up his first career save. After posting an 8.55 ERA as a SP this season, Houser now has pitched 24.2 IP as a reliever and has allowed just 4 ER, which is good for a 1.46 ERA.
There was an awful lot to like in this win, along with the Mets’ recent play. You almost wish they didn’t have a day off on Thursday. But they play 17 straight games starting Friday, a stretch that will take the club up to the All-Star break. Wednesday’s win got them to .500 for the first time since May 7, when they were 18-18.
It’s been quite a run since their bottom point at 22-33 on May 29 after getting swept by the Dodgers. They face a challenge versus an Astros team that has recovered from a lousy start. But after that comes the weakest part of the schedule. If they continue to hit like this, they have a chance to put up a nice record over the next 21 games.
The Athletic claims today that Houser has a similar track record with all his time in Milwaukee. So, why bother putting him in the rotation? Leave him sitting in right field.
Manaea yesterday had five walks and three strikeouts. The three strikeouts don’t matter, but we have learned the five walks in five innings do. Just like the five walks by Peterson on Tuesday, this isn’t good living. Peterson has been lucky to get six runs of support per game, but I don’t like either one. I’d move Manaea at first chance and start opening up spots for consistent pitchers named Scott and Butto. I don’t feel like waiting for the tax to come due.
As for the offense: who are these guys and please don’t pinch me. To me, it appears as if the offense started to move with McNeil going to the bench. In any workplace, seeing a co-worker not cooperating hurts morale. The Mets are in a good state mentally and now have to deal an unhappy first baseman.
If Alvarez and Vientos can produce anywhere near what they are doing now, they really lengthen the lineup. Despite the struggles they had early in the year, it wasn’t a huge stretch to think that the veteran hitters like Lindor, Nimmo and Alonso would start to hit closer to the back of their baseball cards, but having the 2 young players mash like they are has helped move this lineup to the next level.
I just wish McNeil could get it going. I’ve been a long time supporter of his, but that support is getting harder and harder to give.
Aaron Judge is showing why Alonso shouldn’t get anywhere near $200 million.
Shoot – I thought what Alonso did from 2020-2023 was enough to make that case.
As Brian stated, Alonso’s own performance refutes the $200 million valuation on its own.
That said, Judge’s contract was for $360 million, which is a much higher tier than the $200 million Alonso is seeking. As such, what Judge does has no bearing on what Alonso should make.
Gut Reaction: They Sweep the Yankees ! Five straight series win!s! They are at .500! And it is the month of June .
Alvarez is so hot that he “ make a dragon wanna retire”. In his last seven games, he is batting 545 , 3HRs with an OPS 1.791 .
The semi regulars , Houser and Taylor contributed also and Torrens completed a perfected hitting night for the catchers.
Right now have some Uptown Funk, “Don’t believe me just watch.”
Is someone in a good mood? I can’t tell….
Metsense, can I borrow some money?
.500. Take a deep breath, it feels good. Especially using the Yankee sweep to get there. Now, don’t give it back. Oh those based on balls. As Gus said, that’s got to be cleaned up…the luck won’t last forever.
Thanks Brian for staying up late and writing a happy gut reaction. I think we are all pretty happy with how they’re playing this month and every once in a while I keep thinking I’m watching a different team. Then I think if everybody could just hit, not even to the extent that they’re doing now, we could really play with anybody. And that includes only getting five innings out of our starters. Bring on the Astros. Hoping we get out of June above 500.