Coming into this Wild Card series, the thought was that where the Mets had the edge was with power. So, of course, the Mets put up eight runs without a homer. In a game that featured two comebacks by the Mets, they emerged with an 8-4 win over the Brewers and a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series.
Luis Severino started and put the Mets in a hole right away, as he surrendered two runs in the first inning. But the Mets, taking a page from the 2022 team, immediately struck back, plating three runs in the top of the second.
Mark Vientos led off the second with a single and a walk to Francisco Alvarez gave the Mets a no-out rally. Jesse Winker followed with a two-run triple to the right field corner to tie the game. Winker then scored on a sac fly from Staling Marte and just like that, the Mets held a 3-2 lead.
But in the fourth inning, the Brewers again scored twice against Severino to go up, 4-3.
The Brewers then went to their vaunted bullpen and the Mets made them pay. With five singles and three walks, the Mets put up a very crooked number on the board, scoring five times in the frame. And it could have been even more, as Marte was robbed of a home run on a leaping grab.
With a four-run lead, Severino settled down and was great in his final two innings of work. He found his groove and no one would have blamed Carlos Mendoza if he sent Severino back to the mound for the seventh, even with his starter having already thrown 105 pitches.
But Mendoza opted for Jose Butto, instead. And Butto retired all six batters he faced, notching three strikeouts, including his last two batters. Ryne Stanek came on to finish up and he retired all three of his batters. In all, Mets pitching retired the last 14 batters they faced.
It’s hard to imagine this game working out any better for the Mets. Their starter got knocked around some yet still gave six innings. The bullpen was lights out and they got by without using Edwin Diaz. Plus, they did not need to use Reed Garrett, who now has had three days off after a 25-pitch outing on Saturday.
Perhaps most important was how some slumping hitters came thru. Both Winker and J.D. Martinez had two-RBI games. And Pete Alonso drew three walks. Eliminating some dead spots in the lineup helped deliver the eight runs.
Sean Manaea will look to rebound from getting smacked around some by the Brewers last time out, as he takes the ball in Game 2, which is a 7:30 start.
Thanks for binging home the W! Can’t wait to watch the replay.
Play of the game: Iggy’s head-first dive into first.
Agreed. Found it interesting how important a pitcher not hustling to first was two days in a row.
On that note, remember how Severino didn’t back-up a few times this year and wild throws weren’t rescued? Well, with a man on third and a pop-up behind the plate close to the fence, Severino went straight to home plate and stood there, just in case. Smart move, great play, and I was watching for that. I hope all Mets pitchers got the memo after yesterday’s brain fart.
Gut Reaction: Iglesias is a Gamer. His hustled was the turning point of the game and tied the game. It is allowed the opportunity for Vientos and Martinez to hit their two out, two RBI, singles. They scored 5 runs in the inning and never look back.
Let’s close out the series Wednesday.
Loved the win and the bursts of small ball. Still remember the days of bunt, stolen bases, and sac flys to score some runs until you can get a big bang from one player. Loved Iggy’s headfirst slide. Did you notice his hitting streak started around when they lost McNeil in early September. At the time we saw that as a damaging blow mostly due to his ability to play 2B or a corner OF spot. Not anymore. Nice night of pitching after a rough start. You kind of forget about Butto, but what a great job he did over two. And while I get nervous seeing Stanek come in to a game, he was surprisingly the pitcher they thought they were getting. Let’s wrap this up with Manaea tomorrow night!
This is getting interesting