What a difference between Bronx and Queens these days.
On one hand you have the Yankees, leading the league in virtually every offensive category. Then you have the Mets, who are scoring one run every other game.
The Mets are trying to catch lightning in a bottle with players in their mid to late thirties. The Yankees acquired the reigning NL MVP this off-season, and are getting contributions from stud rookies.
The Mets, as a team, have five more total bases than the Miami Marlins.
To add insult to injury, one of the season’s only bright spots, Jacob deGrom, has been labeled as trade bait to the Yankees.
Basically, this Subway Series couldn’t have come at a worse time. Shortly before the game, it was announced that Noah Syndergaard’s finger was still swollen and he would be unable to pitch Sunday night against Luis Severino. Also, Jeurys Familia was placed on the disabled list with a sore shoulder.
Yoenis Cespedes, who the Mets have missed for a month is about to start a rehab assignment in Binghamton. He said he was eager to return, but didn’t know how much good it would do, given how the Mets have been playing lately.
There was still baseball to be played however, and the aforementioned Jacob deGrom took the ball, or in this case – a slingshot.
Remarkable 2018 Jacob deGrom stats:
Has allowed one run or less in 8 straight starts (franchise record)
Opponents are 6-51 (.118) with RISP
Opponents are 0-12 with 9 Ks with the bases loaded
Most remarkable stat of all:
Opponents have won 7 of the last 9 games he’s pitched.
After retiring the Yankees in the first, Brandon Nimmo hit a leadoff homerun off Masahiro Tanaka, and the Mets had a 1-0 lead. For a moment, we were able to forget all the negativity surrounding this team, and just enjoy an early lead against our crosstown rivals.
DeGrom was able to make that lead hold up until the top of the 6th. Miguel Andujar led off by grounding out sharply to first base on a play where Adrian Gonzalez made a fine play ranging to his right. Masahiro Tanaka was next, and he hit another ground ball to first. This time, Gonzalez couldn’t handle it, and was charged with an error. That was actually Gonzalez’ first error of the year, and you just had the feeling it would come back to hurt the Mets.
Gleyber Torres followed with a single, and then Brett Gardner drew a walk. Aaron Judge stepped to the plate with the bases loaded, and it was deGrom’s time to shine. He got Judge to hit a shallow fly ball to right. Tanaka tagged up and ran home. The Yankee pitcher actually strained both of his hamstrings on the dash from third and was limping down the baseline. It didn’t matter as Jay Bruce’s throw home was pathetic, and the game was tied. 1-1.
Tanaka was removed from the game, and aside from Brandon Nimmo’s homerun, he dominated the Mets lineup. Over his 5 innings of work, Tanaka allowed one hit, one walk and struck out 8. Just like that, the game was tied and fans were left to wonder where the next run would come from.
As usual, deGrom did all he could. The Yankees eventually got to him in the 8th. After retiring the first two batters, Gleyber Torres singled to left. Brett Gardner followed with a two run homerun that cleared the wall by inches. 3-1.
At that point, the game was over. Sure, the Yankees still needed to record 6 more outs, but the game was over.
So, it was another brilliant deGrom start wasted by the Mets. 2 earned runs over 8 innings. He allowed 4 hits and 2 walks, while striking out 8. He took responsibility for the loss after the game. Nah, Jake. It’s not on you.
In the top of the 9th, Giancarlo Stanton hit a homerun off Paul Sewald to increase the lead to 4-1. That would be the final score.
The Mets managed just 4 hits and struck out 11 times. More of the same in Queens.
Steven Matz will get the start in Game 2 of the Subway Series. Domingo Germàn will start for the Yankees.
