Nothing lasts forever.
They say all good things must end.
This winning streak can’t last forever. One day, the Mets are going to take the field and they are going to be outplayed and lose the game.
SPOILER ALERT: Tonight wasn’t the night!
Before many Mets fans settled in their seats tonight, the Marlins had a 1-0 lead, courtesy of a Miguel Rojas home run. Those same fans looked at a man on the mound, with the number 45 on his jersey and braced themselves for a long night.
Did you forget that we are in the Twilight Zone now? Zack Wheeler allowed a walk after the solo shot in the 1st inning, and then allowed a hit in the 2nd inning. That was it. No other Marlin reached base. Wheeler pitched 7 innings, which makes tonight the best start of the season. 7 innings, 1 run, 1 hit and 7 strikeouts. Hey, I know it’s the Marlins but that’s dominance.
The Mets were facing someone making his first career start though, Jarlin Garcia. As you know, a pitcher making his starting debut is the Mets kryptonite. Tonight was no different.
The Mets were held hitless over 6 innings. They drew two walks and reached on an error. That was it. Luckily, Don Mattingly likes what Gabe Kapler is doing in Philadelphia and removed his pitcher after 6 innings and 77 pitches. Um, thanks?
In the top of the 7th, with two outs, Todd Frazier got the Mets first hit. Jay Bruce struck out swinging, however, and the side was retired. The Marlins pitcher in the 7th inning was Drew Steckenrider. He did give up the Marlins no hitter, but we got a good look at him this series and he’s nasty. Looks like he could be a really good pitcher.
I did say that Wheeler pitched 7 innings right? Uncharted territory in 2018 for Mets starters. He got 3 consecutive ground outs to end his night. What a night it was, as he retired the final 16 batters he faced!
The day began with news that Travis d’Arnaud was placed on the DL with a torn UCL in his throwing elbow. Well, the 8th inning began with Kevin Plawecki being hit by a pitch in his hand. He stayed in the game initially, but was ultimately replaced by his roster replacement Tomas Nido.
Amed Rosario stepped in and struck out on 3 pitches. Michael Conforto then pinch hit for Juan Lagares. Don Mattingly countered by bringing in a lefty, Chris O’Grady. Didn’t matter. Conforto took the second pitch he saw for a double.
That gave the Mets a runner on second and third situation, as Plawecki was held at 3rd base. That also brought up the pitcher spot and Mickey Callaway rolled the dice on Adrian Gonzalez. Nice move Mickey.
2-1 Mets!
The red hot Asdrubal Cabrera singled, moving Adrian Gonzalez to 2nd base. Wilmer Flores, making his 2nd start in a row, hit a ground rule double and the lead was increased to 3-1. Todd Frazier hit a sacrifice fly, scoring Asdrubal Cabrera, and just like that, the Mets had a 3 run lead.
Wow. What else can you say? Another come back win. Everything Callaway touches turns to gold. Everyone is contributing. And, guess what? We have a focused, confident Zack Wheeler now in our back pocket.
The Mets are 10-1. The Mets have swept three series in a row. (All against NL East teams by the way. 😎) We go home to some warm weather to host a beat up Brewers team. Then we welcome a Nationals team who will not be pitching Scherzer and Strasburg against us.
Ok. Ok. I’m getting ahead of myself.
The guy on the mound was the guy we traded Beltran for. What a performance. Raise your hand if you had Zack Wheeler as the first Met to get into the 7th inning this year. All jokes aside, this is great. This gives Wheeler confidence and whether or not he makes another start before Vargas returns, he can build on this. Having a confident and healthy Wheeler waiting in the wings is priceless.
Gsellman relieved deGrom and his fantastic relief pitching continued, as he turned in a perfect 8th inning with 3 strikeouts. Blevins and Ramos combined to close the game out in the 9th. Ramos walked the first batter he faced, but then got a double play ball to end the game.
Again, it wasn’t all good news today, as Travis d’Arnaud might require surgery. I’ll be back tomorrow morning to talk about that at length.
The Mets will enjoy a well deserved off-day tomorrow, and open a three game series with Milwaukee, Friday in Citi Field.
LGM