What a week.
April snow, off days on Friday, Facebook broadcasts, Hansel Robles. What a time to be alive.
And what a time to be a Mets fan, as their timely hitting and excellent pitching have them sitting in first place.
Steven Matz was the starting pitcher in the only game the Mets lost this season, an outing against the Cardinals where he didn’t pitch particularly well.
He was much better today.
Matz struck out 5 of the first 6 Nationals he faced. He also had Juan Lagares in center field who was there to lend a hand.
After that defensive gem, Todd Frazier and Wilmer Flores pitched in with some fine glove work as well.
It was ultimately the defense however, that let Steven Matz down in the 5th inning unfortunately. A Todd Frazier throwing error allowed Michael Taylor to reach base safely to start the inning. After a sacrifice bunt, Michael Taylor stole third base, and then scored on a bloop single to right field by Pedro Severino.
Jose Reyes pinch hit for Matz in the 6th and that was the end of his day. Over 5 innings of work Matz allowed an unearned run on 3 hits and 2 walks. He struck out 8 Nationals.
Very encouraging from Steven Matz. I know I’m in the minority but I have all the faith in the world in him. I will go down with this ship. Here’s the thing though. I don’t think it’s sinking. Today was definitely a step in the right direction.
So the Nationals had five stolen bases on the Mets today. Travis d’Arnaud did not even come close to throwing out any of the runners. This is definitely an issue and it’s clear the Nationals are going to run against us any chance they can get. Even catcher Pedro Florimon got into the mix, swiping second base.
Travis d’Arnaud immediately atoned for his throwing woes in the top of the 6th. After a Todd Frazier double, Travis singled to center, tying the game at 1.
Mickey Callaway brought in his new favorite pitcher Hansel Robles to work the bottom of the sixth. Bryce Harper led off for the Nationals.
Solo shot. 2-1 Nationals. I know that hell froze over and he had two straight appearances where he struck out the side, but is anyone really surprised?
Credit to the Mets though. After Robles got out of the inning without further damage, Amed Rosario led off with a single. Asdrubal Cabrera doubled to right, bringing home Rosario with the tying run. What a thing of beauty it is, watching Rosario run by the way.
Cabrera moved to third on a groundout by Cespedes. It was a play where it seemed like there would have been a play at third if Ryan Zimmerman made a throw. This Met team capitalizes on mistakes in 2018, and Cabrera scored on a groundout by Todd Frazier.
AJ Ramos worked a perfect seventh inning. In the bottom of the eighth, Jacob Rhame retired ex-Met Matt Reynolds. Lefty specialist was brought in to face Bryce Harper but he walked him. Harper immediately stole second base. (Surprise Surprise) Jeurys Familia came in and got Ryan Zimmerman to ground out weakly. Howie Kendrick suffered the same fate as Zimmerman, and it was another huge performance by the Mets bullpen.
Jeurys Familia came back out for the 9th inning, attempting to record a 5 out save. He worked a 1-2-3 9th inning and the Mets have won 4 straight and 6 of their first 7 games.
Juan Lagares who got the start, presumably because of his good numbers against Gio Gonzalez, singled and reached base on a walk. Also he had the phenomenal throw in the second inning, nailing Brian Goodwin at the plate. Lagares is quietly hitting .462 this season.
The Mets win again without a homerun. You have to love the way this team is battling. They came from behind twice today, immediately answering every time the Nationals scored.
The Mets go for the sweep tomorrow, in what will be only their second night game of the season. Matt Harvey off his impressive debut will take on Tanner Roark.
LGM
