The New York Mets (24-19) won their fourth straight game as they defeated the Miami Marlins (17-30) by a score of 2-0 at Citi Field.
Pitching
Jason Vargas cruised through the first four innings of work before getting into a minor jam in the fifth. After striking out Justin Bour, Vargas walked Cameron Maybin followed by a single from Miguel Rojas. After a coaching visit to the mound, Vargas struck out Lewis Brinson and the opposing pitcher Elieser Hernandez to end the inning.
Vargas easily turned in his best start of the year with a much-needed stat line that spanned five innings (86 pitches), in which he allowed no runs, two hits, and one walk while striking out seven batters.
Paul Sewald started the sixth inning and got two quick outs as he got Martin Prado to pop out to second and J.T. Realmuto to fly out to right field. The next batter, Starlin Castro, singled to center field and was followed up by a walk to Brian Anderson which subsequently ended Sewald’s evening.
Jerry Blevins relieved Sewald with two fish on first and second with two outs to face Justin Bour. On a 3-2 pitch, he walked Bour to load the bases. Bour would be the only batter Blevins would face.
AJ Ramos came in to face Mets thorn Derek Dietrich with the bases loaded. Ramos struck out Dietrich to end the inning and successfully preserved the 1-0 Mets lead.
Ramos came back out for the seventh inning and walked the first batter he faced. Ramos then struck out Brinson on a 0-2 slider for the first out of the inning. The next batter J.B. Shuck grounded into a 1-6-3 double play to end the inning.
Seth Lugo entered the game in the eighth inning with a 2-0 lead. He was hit uncharacteristically hard this inning, but it was the Mets defense who came through for him. With one out, Luis Guillorme snagged a line drive off Prado with a perfectly timed jump. After a two-out triple by Starlin Castro, Brandon Nimmo made a highlight reel diving catch off a line drive by Brian Anderson to end the inning, protecting the 2-0 lead.
Jeurys Familia retired Justin Bour for the first out of the ninth inning, but gave up a double to Derek Dietrich. Familia then struck out Miguel Rojas on a slider in the dirt for the second out.
Lewis Brinson would hit a ground ball in the hole at shortstop, but Amed Rosario made the grab and made a laser throw to get a diving Brinson out at first. The play would be challenged but the call on the field was upheld earning Familia his 13th save of the season.
Hitting
The Mets offense only managed two runs off the Marlins this evening, but fortunately, it would be enough thanks to Vargas and the bullpen.
Asdrubal Cabrera hit an RBI double in the third inning to break the scoreless tie off Marlins starter Elieser Hernandez.
Devin Mesoraco continues to show admirable hustle as he hit a bloop double to right field in the seventh inning with one out. He ended the night going 1-4 with a run scored.
Wilmer Flores had a pinch-hit RBI single through the legs of Martin Prado in the seventh to strengthen the Mets lead to 2-0. Flores is now 4-12 as a pinch hitter in 2018.
Michael Conforto went 2-4 continuing his recent hot streak at the dish.
Amed Rosario flashed his speed when he scored from first base on Cabrera’s double in the third. He ended the game going 1-3 with a run scored.
On Deck
The Mets will seek their fifth win in a row tomorrow night as they take on the Marlins in the second game of a three-game series at Citi Field. Zack Wheeler (2-3 5.92 ERA) looks to get back on track as he faces off against Marlins starter Caleb Smith (2-5 4.22 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 PM and can be viewed on SNY.
