We are gonna need a halfway decent start from someone not named Syndergaard or deGrom, or an offensive explosion.
Why not both?
The Mets gave Wheeler a quick lead, as Yoenis Cespedes doubled in the first inning, and then came home on a Jay Bruce single. In the 2nd inning, Jose Reyes walked and then stole 2nd base. A Tomas Nido single brought Reyes home. 2-0.
The 3rd inning contains a lot of storylines so let’s go there. Yoenis Cespedes singled and then stole 2nd base. Jay Bruce walked and then the Mets pulled off a double steal. Cespedes, in nabbing his 2nd base of the inning hurt his thumb on a headfirst slide into 3rd base. Adrian Gonzalez followed the double steal with a double and the Mets had a 4-0 lead. Let’s get into it.
Yoenis Cespedes left the game the next inning due to the thumb injury. After the game, Cespedes said the thumb would keep him out for 3 games. I guess it’s cool that he gave us speculating fans a timeline for his return, but who knows if it’s accurate. What we do know is that he had 2 hits, 2 runs and 2 stolen bases prior to exiting. He also had hits in 6 straight games. Unfortunate timing, as it looked like Cespedes was about to go on a tear.
Before the game, Mickey Callaway said that he was going to start playing Jay Bruce at 1st base to get more at bats for Brandon Nimmo and Juan Lagares. Apparently, Adrian Gonzalez didn’t like that idea.
With a double and 2 RBIs already under his belt, Gonzalez stepped up to the plate in the 7th, with Brandon Nimmo and Todd Frazier on base.
Gonzalez, who played for San Diego from 2006-2010, added to his career home run (65) and RBI total (235) at Petco Park, both the most by any player in the park’s history.
That made the score 7-2. Later in the 7th, with Jose Reyes and Tomas Nido on base, Asdrubal Cabrera singled to increase the Mets lead to 9-2.
Let’s talk about how the Padres scored those 2 runs.
Zack Wheeler worked out of a bases loaded jam in the first inning. He kept the Padres off the scoreboard until the 3rd inning.
Eric Hosmer and Franchy Cordero singled. Wheeler got Jose Pirela to groundout, which advanced Hosmer and Cordero to 2nd and 3rd. Freddy Galvis hit a ball past Wheeler which allowed both runners to score. Those two runs would be the only ones San Diego would score.
Wheeler pitched 5 innings and allowed just the aforementioned 2 earned runs. He gave up 6 hits, 2 walks and struck out a season-high 9 Padres.
Something to build on. The 95 pitches in 5 innings is frustrating though, as it’d be nice to see him work deeper into the game.
The bullpen worked 4 innings and didn’t allow a run. Paul Sewald worked 2 innings, allowed 2 hits and struck out 3. Robert Gsellman pitched an inning where he allowed 2 hits but worked out of trouble.
Matt Harvey pitched the 9th inning for the Mets. He didn’t allow a run which is nice to see, but he only reached 92 MPH with his “fastball.” Do we really need to reserve a roster spot for a guy who can only be trusted to pitch in blowouts?
Speaking of blowouts, we have a couple more runs to discuss.
Jay Bruce led off the 8th inning with a single. Todd Frazier followed with his 5th homerun of the year, driving home his former Cincinnati teammate. That made the score 11-2. Jose Reyes followed with a homerun of his own, which put the Mets up by ten, 12-2.
After a Wilmer Flores walk, Asdrubal Cabrera followed with a single. Michael Conforto and Brandon Nimmo added RBI singles to make the score 14-2, and that’s how the game would end. Petco Park opened in 2004. Yesterday, the Mets won a series there for only the second time.
The Mets batted around in the lineup in 2 straight innings. They also scored 5 runs in back-to-back innings for the first time ever.
Jose Reyes and Adrian Gonzalez had huge games. We talked about Gonzalez, who had a double, homerun and 5 RBIs. Reyes had a homerun of his own, a single and a walk, 3 runs and a stolen base.
Seemingly every time the criticisms of Adrian Gonzalez rise above a dull roar, he has a big game. I think that Mickey Callaway had the right idea, and Gonzalez’ performance shouldn’t change that. The thought of Jay Bruce digging throws out and starting double plays at 1st base scares the hell out of me, but I would love to get Lagares and Nimmo more at bats.
Speaking of Nimmo, he had 2 hits yesterday after replacing Cespedes in the lineup. He’s been an on base machine this season, and the more at bats he gets the better.
Michael Conforto had 2 hits as well, which is hopefully the start of something. He’s been getting on base at a good pace, but the hits haven’t come yet. They will.
Tomas Nido had a nice day at the plate, going 2 for 5 with a walk. He also scored and drove in a run.
Surprisingly, the Mets stole 4 bases in the game. In the 3rd inning, they stole 3 bases. The last time the Mets swiped 3 bags in one inning was April of last season.
Other than that? Say a prayer. We need Cespedes back in the lineup ASAP.
Mets will welcome the Braves to Citi Field after an off day.
