The New York Mets (6-2) defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks (2-5) by a score of 10-3 Friday afternoon at Citi Field. It was a big day for the Mets. Not only was it opening day at Citi Field, but it was also the 75th anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier. The day also began with the Mets finally unveiling the Tom Seaver statue outside of Citi Field. The Mets came into this game with 10-game winning streak against the Diamondbacks at Citi field and they kept the good times rolling with a stellar day on offense.

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Chris Bassitt (2-0, 0.82 ERA) got the start for the Mets and pitched a great game. He ran into a little trouble in the first inning, giving up a one out double to Ketel Marte and walking David Peralta. It took him 25 pitches to get through the first inning, and it seemed as though Bassitt might be heading for a short outing. But he bounced back nicely in the second inning, getting three easy fly ball outs. Bassitt ultimately threw 98 pitches and went six innings in his second outing of the season. Bassitt’s streak of scoreless innings to start the season ended at 11, as he gave up a solo home run to Daulton Varsho to lead off the sixth inning.

Chasen Shreve came on in relief of Bassitt to start the seventh inning, striking out the side. Drew Smith got the eighth inning and pitched well, giving up only a walk to pinch hitter Yonny Hernandez. Sean Reid-Foley pitched the ninth. His struggles continued, as he walked two batters, gave up a ground-rule double, and allowed two runs to score before recording the final out of the game.

The Mets’ offense got the scoring going early, manufacturing a run in the first inning via a couple of well-placed hits and a foul ball fly out up by Pete Alonso that scored McNeil from third. They would score again in the third inning off, once again, a fly ball out from the bat of Alonso, this time scoring Starling Marte from third.

Robinson Cano went long on his namesake’s day, hitting a solo home run to left field to lead off the bottom of the fourth inning. Francisco Lindor extended the lead with a two-run home run in the bottom of the fifth inning, chasing the Diamondbacks’ starter Zach Davies from the game.

The Mets would score again in the bottom of the seventh. After Lindor stole second while Alonso was at the plate, Escobar would drive Lindor in with a bloop double to right field. Marte and Lindor would put the finishing touches on the game for the Mets by hitting back-to-back home runs in the bottom of the eighth inning.

Travis Jankowski also had a good day at the plate for the Mets, as he went 3-3 and was on base when Marte hit his three-run homer. Nick Plummer made his major league debut coming on for defense in right field in the top of the ninth. Plummer was on the roster because Mark Canha and Brandon Nimmo were both placed on the Covid-IL earlier in the day.

Photo by Chris Simon

Player of the Game: Francisco Lindor

Lindor crushed two home runs in the game, one as a left-handed batter and one as a right-handed batter. He also had a good day on the bases. Lindor made a heads-up baserunning play back in the first inning, when he tagged up and took second on Alonso’s foul pop up that scored McNeil. He also stole a base in the seventh inning.

Lindor’s final line on the day was two-for-three with two home runs, two walks, and three runs batted in (RBI). Lindor is having a great start to his season, with eight hits, three home runs, and seven RBIs.

On Deck:

The Mets face the Diamondbacks again on Saturday at Citi Field. The first pitch is scheduled for 1:10 PM ET and the game will be broadcast on SNY. Carlos Carrasco is scheduled to start for the Mets, Zac Gallen for the Diamondbacks.