DJ Stewart Propels Mets To 2-0 Series Finale Victory In Minnesota

The New York Mets played the final game of a three-game series against the Minnesota Twins on Sunday afternoon trying to salvage in the three-game set. In what can be described as a pitchers’ duel, Tylor Megill excelled and a ninth inning double by DJ Stewart was the difference. New York emerged victorious 2-0.

As mentioned, Megill started the game for the Mets and kept the damage to a minimum early, only allowing a hit through four innings despite three walks. Megill did well locating the ball, preventing the Twins from getting solid contact and then buckling down when runners were on base, which is where he has struggled mightily this year. Jeff McNeil made a great play on a ball that fell in front of him with runners on first and second base, getting the runner at second because they had to hold to see if the ball would be caught.

In the fifth inning, Megill allowed a single to Carlos Correa, and he advanced to second base on a wild pitch. He then walked Edouard Julien, but induced a double-play groundball from Alex Kirilloff to get out of the inning. Megill would exit after five innings, allowing two hits, walking four and striking out two. While he wasn’t efficient with his pitches, he avoided the blow-up innings that have plagued him all season.

Phil Bickford, Trevor Gott, and Adam Ottavino followed suit of Megill, by each posting scoreless frames. The Twins were held scoreless as Ottavino shut the door thanks in large part to a terrific play by Pete Alonso to end the contest.

The Mets’ offense was stifled by Twins starter Pablo López, who struck out 14 batters over eight innings and other than two singles and hitting Francisco Lindor and Francisco Alvarez with pitches, he was completely in control.

Speaking of Álvarez, he left the game in the seventh inning for precautionary reasons and was replaced by Omar Narváez. After the game, manager Buck Showalter said Álvarez got an X-ray and, “so far, so good.”

The only scoring in the game was courtesy of the Mets, and that came ni the ninth inning. Francisco Lindor led off the ninth inning with a double against Twins’ reliever Griffin Jax. Jeff McNeil then was hit by a pitch, putting runners on first and second with no outs. Then, the scorching hot DJ Stewart hit a two-run double to give the Mets the lead.

With the victory, New York improves to 65-77 on the season. As of writing, that is good for the seventh-worst record in the majors.

Statistic Of The Game

This was Tylor Megill’s first outing without allowing a run since April 7. It has largely been struggles for Megill this season, posting metrics that indicate a very below-average starting pitcher. Hopefully, today is a turning point for the right hander.

Player Of The Game: DJ Stewart

Even after having a rough game up until the ninth inning, striking out three times – he got a key hit when it mattered. His RBI-double was the deciding factor in a game that was scoreless until the ninth inning. His storybook run continues.

After the game, Megill credited Stewart saying, “DJ’s been DJ. He’s had a lot of success and he’s tearing it up right now. We are happy for him.”

On Deck

The Mets return home and are slated to face the Arizona Diamondbacks in a four-game series. Game 1 of the series is slated for Monday at 7:10 pm ET. The probable pitching matchup is Zach Davies versus José Quintana.