Hey, Met fans! I know the offense has been struggling. Could I interest you in two first inning homeruns? Would that be something you might be interested in?
Mickey Callaway decided to shake up the lineup, and it paid immediate dividends. Amed Rosario was put in the leadoff spot. Todd Frazier was slotted second, and Brandon Nimmo was in the 3 hole. Early season MVP, Asdrubal Cabrera was the clean-up hitter.
Rosario popped up, but Todd Frazier put the Mets on the board with a solo homerun. Brandon Nimmo tripled and Cabrera followed with a 2 run homerun. 3-0!
Spoiler alert. It all went downhill from there. The Amazin’s had a lead over their crosstown rivals, but some distressing news started to filter in.
Yoenis Cespedes, who was on a rehab assignment with Binghamton, started the game by hitting 2 doubles. He then left the game with tightness in his right quad.
We also received word that the team was considering sending the struggling Michael Conforto to Las Vegas.
All of that news came shortly after Gleyber Torres put the Yankees on the board with a solo homerun. 3-1. As for the Mets? Well, all their offense came in the first inning. So, it was up to Steven Matz to preserve the lead.
The score remained 3-1 until the top of the 6th.
After retiring Giancarlo Stanton to begin the inning, Gary Sanchez drew a walk. Miguel Andujar was next, and he tied the game with a 2 run homerun. 3-3.
I’ll admit it. I was extremely envious watching Torres and Andujar hit homeruns for the Yankees, while Jay Bruce and Adrian Gonzalez ground into the shift every at-bat for the Mets.
That was the end of the night for Steven Matz. He worked 6 innings and allowed 3 earned runs. He gave up 5 hits and 4 walks which was alarming. He also struck out 6. In today’s parlance, that is a quality start. Against the potent Yankee lineup, no less. Still work to do. Way too many base on balls, including a four pitch walk to the opposing pitcher, but I’m encouraged by Steven Matz’ work lately.
Robert Gsellman entered the game to pitch the 7th inning. He worked around a walk to keep the Yankees off the scoreboard. Many expected multiple innings from Gsellman, but it was Anthony Swarzak pitching in the 8th inning.
His first assignment was Aaron Judge. Swarzak threw one pitch, a hanging slider, and the game was no longer tied. Solo homerun. 4-3 Yankees. Swarzak worked around 2 additional hits to retire the side, but the damage was done.
Fast forward to the bottom of the 9th. Aroldis Chapman entered the game to secure the win for the Yankees. Jay Bruce led off for the Mets and drew a walk. Devin Mesoraco never had a chance. He struck out swinging. What really hurt was the fact that Mesoraco was pinch hitting for Michael Conforto. Homeruns by Torres, Andujar and Judge. Conforto is pinch hit for by Devin Mesoraco, the guy we got by trading Matt Harvey. Oh, how we’ve fallen. Anyways, back to the game. 1 on, 1 out.
Jose Bautista struck out, but could have easily been on first base. He got NO help from the home plate umpire. Kevin Plawecki was next and he did draw a walk. 2 on-2 out. Pitcher spot up. Bottom of the 9th game on the line. Here comes…Jose Reyes? Ugh.
Give Reyes credit (if you want) he did battle Chapman, but eventually flew out to right. Game over. Yankees win 4-3, securing the series victory.
The Mets have dropped 10 straight at Citi Field, their worst drought at home since losing a team-record 15 in a row at Shea Stadium in 2002.
Many were wondering why Robert Gsellman didn’t pitch multiple innings. He could have double switched Michael Conforto out of the game in the 7th, as he pinch hit for Conforto anyway in the 9th.
I’m just wondering if the Mets will ever win again. Seth Lugo pitches tomorrow against Yankee ace, Luis Severino.
