The New York Mets (83-73) defeated the Philadelphia Phillies (70-86) by a score of 17-0 at Citi Field Sunday afternoon. The Mets temporarily hold a half a game advantage over the San Francisco Giants for the first wild card spot.
Pitching:
Following the tragic news of the passing of Marlins ace Jose Fernandez this morning that rocked the baseball world, the Mets still had a game to play today. Robert Gsellman was on the mound for the Mets and he was incredible pitching seven scoreless innings while allowing just three hits, walking two and striking out eight.
Fernando Salas came in for the Mets in the top of the 8th inning and he made quick work of the Phillies, striking out the side.
Jerry Blevins came in for the Mets in the top of the ninth and shut the door, completing the shutout.
Offense:
In the bottom of the second inning, Jay Bruce lead off the inning with a double. T.J. Rivera followed with a single putting runners on the corners with nobody out. James Loney then grounded into a double play but Bruce would come home and the Mets would take the early 1-0 lead.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, Curtis Granderson hit his 30th home run of the season over the right field wall to give the Mets a 2-0 lead. Following the home run, the Mets would load the bases and Jose Reyes would walk in another giving the Mets a 3-0 lead.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, Yoenis Cespedes and Curtis Granderson started the inning off with walks to put two runners on. Jay Bruce followed with a single to load the bases with nobody out. T.J. Rivera cashed in with a single to bring in a run, making the score 4-0. With the bases still loaded, Rene Rivera was hit by a pitch making the score 5-0. Colton Murray then came in to replace Phil Klein but he threw a wild pitch to bring home Jay Bruce giving the Mets a 6-0 lead.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, The Mets would have the bases loaded for Jose Reyes and he would walk in a run yet again giving the Mets a 7-0 lead. Asdrubal Cabrera would then put the game out of reach by cracking a grand slam, his 23rd home run of the season over the right field wall making the score 11-0.
In the bottom of the eighth inning, the Mets would have the bases loaded for Jose Reyes again. This time, he would smack a single to left field making the score 13-0. Eric Campbell then brought in two more by lining a single to right field making the score 15-0. Following a Ty Kelly walk that would put two runners on, Michael Conforto hit his 21st double of the year to bring in two more making the score 17-0.
Notes:
The 17-0 shutout is the most lopsided shutout in Mets history.
Robert Gsellman’s ERA now stands at a sparkling 2.56
Terry Collins told reporters yesterday that Wilmer Flores could miss the remainder of the season.
JZ Player of the game: Robert Gsellman. This was easily Gsellman’s best start of his career and he left the mound to well-earned standing ovation. Gsellman just keeps getting better and better.
On Deck:
The Mets will play their first game of a three-game set with the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park tomorrow evening. The game has a start time of 7:10 PM. This will be the first game played by the Marlins following the tragic death of Jose Fernandez. Bartolo Colon (14-7, 3.12 ERA), will look to keep the Mets rolling against Adam Conley (8-6, 3.94 ERA).
