After going a month without winning consecutive games, the Mets were on the verge of sweeping the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The series took place at Citi Field, where the Mets haven’t recorded a sweep since September of 2016. Noah Syndergaard took the ball and looked to send the fans home happy.
All of a sudden, things were looking up for the Mets. A win would secure a sweep, and the last place Marlins are next up on the calendar. Syndergaard going for the Mets, Clay Bucholz for the Diamondbacks? Seems easy enough. Right?
The Mets had one hit through the first 5 innings.
Arizona did not fare much better against Noah, but they were able to put themselves on the scoreboard in the second inning.
Jarrod Dyson, who has been a nuisance throughout the entire series, reached on a single. A Nick Ahmed single advanced Dyson to third, and he then scored on a Jeff Mathis groundout.
That was all the damage Syndergaard would allow. In what has become a recurring theme however, his pitch count started to rise to dangerous levels. Fortunately he only needed 4 pitches to get through the fourth inning, which allowed Noah to give the Mets some much needed length.
Syndergaard’s final line was very impressive, if not quite Thor-like. He allowed one run over 7 strong innings. He gave up six hits and only one walk, striking out seven Diamondbacks. He lowered his season ERA to 2.91.
Syndergaard did his job, but the Mets offense was M.I.A. Until the top of the 6th inning that is.
Through the first five innings, the Mets only reached base twice. A Wilmer Flores double and a Tomas Nido walk were all they could muster against Clay Bucholz, who was making his Arizona debut. Then came Amed Rosario.
We’ve been waiting for that one! Amed Rosario ties the game with his first homerun since last August. 1-1. The hits this series have been few and far between, but they have been timely.
The Mets would take the lead in the next inning. The bottom of the 7th did not get off to a very promising start, as Adrian Gonzalez struck out, and Luis Guillorme was thrown out on a bunt attempt. Tomas Nido delivered a 2 run single, and then Asdrubal Cabrera stepped up to the plate as a pinch hitter.
3-1 Mets! Is there any question who the team MVP is so far this season? Asdrubal Cabrera finally gets a day off, but stays ready and delivers when the Mets need him most. That gave the Mets a 2 run lead, and also put Noah Syndergaard in line for a much needed win.
How about some insurance? Amed Rosario was up next and he hit his second home run of the day! 4-1 Mets!
Jerry Blevins entered in the top of the 8th, and struck David Peralta out swinging. Mickey Callaway decided Blevins’ day was done, and inserted Robert Gsellman into the game.
Gsellman pitched the rest of the game, earning his first major league save. He even struck out the side in the 9th, to put an exclamation point on things.
What a weekend. Make no mistake, the Mets caught the Diamondbacks at the right time. New York’s offense disappeared for long stretches all throughout the series. But the Mets got great outings from Syndergaard and deGrom, and some very timely hits.
How about that bullpen? 2 scoreless innings Friday. A lot of heavy lifting Friday when they had 5 scoreless innings in relief of Steven Matz. 2 more scoreless innings Sunday. Tremendous. Don’t look now, but Robert Gsellman may have become the set-up man.
We’ve been waiting for a day like this from Amed Rosario. We can all see the talent is there, but it all finally came together in front of a packed Citi Field crowd. The team has committed to Rosario as their shortstop, so today was a very welcome sight.
The Mets have now won 3 in a row, and will welcome in the Miami Marlins for a 3 game series. Let’s make it 6 in a row! Jason Vargas is on the mound tomorrow though, so let’s not jump out the window just yet.
All in all, it’s just nice to be back in the W column again.
