Francisco Lindor hit two of the Mets’ five home runs – and it could have been six if Jeff McNeil wasn’t robbed – as the Mets pounded the Yankees, 12-3, Wednesday night in the Bronx. The Mets are now a season-high five games over .500 and they finish the year 4-0 versus the Yankees.
Tyrone Taylor got the HR party started with a solo shot in the third inning, which also doubled as the Mets’ first hit. Pete Alonso hit a two-run homer in the fourth inning that put the Mets in the lead, 3-2. Lindor hit his first homer in the fifth inning, to make it 6-2. Mark Vientos and Lindor both homered in the eighth to round out the barrage.
Lindor finished the night with three hits, two runs scored and five RBIs. Taylor also had a three-hit game. In all, the Mets had 14 hits and four walks on the night. While he was robbed of a HR by a nice catch – the announcers also noted that the wind knocked it back – McNeil finished with two doubles and two runs scored.
Sean Manaea started but was plagued by four walks and many high-pitch ABs, which caused his exit before he could complete five innings and pick up the win. But the “B” relievers gave 5.1 innings with only a meaningless run in the ninth.
With the Braves’ loss in the first game of a scheduled twinbill – the second game was rained out – the Mets are now 1.5 games behind Atlanta, with the Braves coming to Queens for a four-game set.
How sweet to sweep the pair at the Stadium, and a season sweep. I’ve been tracking the Mets rise towards the second place Braves and passing them would be a milestone and also put us first in the wild card race. Hitting up and down the lineup except Nimmo who is in a funk. Yes, he drew a walk but that went with 3Ks and a foul out. Great defense by Taylor. Great relief pitching tonight. Don’t understand Ottavino getting one batter and 4 pitches but not getting to start the next inning. Here come the banged up Braves. Let’s not let up. Severino vs Sale who’s 13-3 on the season. He generally lasts five so we get to face their pen. Hate facing dArnaud who usually hits well against them.
It was a nice time playing the Yankees and it was like going to a great party: lots of hugs, you had fun, everyone left happy, and the next day was a workday. The Braves are work. Beating the Yankees was good for the win/loss record, but beating the Braves is good for the soul. It’s the perfect time to play them as the Mets are feeling good and beating up on the Braves is way, way, way, way, way more satisfying than beating up on the Yankees. The Subway Series is over and the Yankees have their issues; good luck to them. But, it time to get down to business. For every batter that the Braves hit, there better be retaliation. It seems to me the Braves always liked to remind the Mets who they are. I want to kick their ass!
I would like to graciously thank the Yankees for singlehanded making the Mets a playoff team through this stage of the season. We’d rally like to see you again this fall. However, reality has to set in, and the Mets have tougher opponents to face down the road before that can happen, like, say, the Marlins.
Gut Reaction: ESPN summarize it for us. The Mets are OMG and the Yankees are SOS. In July the Mets are 12-7. Lindor had an awesome game. In July he has an 1.010 OPS, McNeil a .914 and Iglesias a 1.082 !
Manaea couldn’t finish the 5th and was denied a victory but Mendoza gave him a chance and he walked his last batter instead of getting an out. The bullpen did their job. It is concerning that Houser in his four appearances in July has giving up and earned run in all appearances. His ERA in July is 9.00. Stearns should significantly bolster the bullpen this week.
Let’s take the series from the Braves, 3-1, and vault into 4th place in the playoffs.