The New York Mets defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks 4-2 on Sunday to complete the series sweep in front of avid fans at Citi Field.
Jacob deGrom appeared unbothered by his lat injury in the first, retiring the side on 12 pitches. Pavin Smith and Josh Rojas flew out consecutively to centerfielder Kevin Pillar. Josh VanMeter battled for 7 pitches, striking out on a sinker at the knees.
The Mets top three were set down in order. Pete Alonso was the team’s first baserunner in the second with a leadoff walk.
DeGrom flew through the second on seven pitches and three more flyouts. Michael Conforto jumped at the right-field fence to reach Eduardo Escobar’s hard-hit line drive and end the inning. deGrom was perfect again in the third striking out two batters.
James McCann led off the third for New York. He’s struggled recently at the plate but McCann singled with deGrom on deck. deGrom laid down a bunt to third and beat the throw by Escobar to single and move the runner. Escobar’s throw went wide and McCann advanced to third.
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Jeff McNeil grounded out to the catcher. A tipped ball rolled just inches in front of the plate. deGrom advanced to second. Francisco Lindor hit a sacrifice fly to left, scoring McCann and moving deGrom to third. Michael Conforto singled to score deGrom. The Mets were up 2-0.
deGrom has the same amount of runs scored (3) as runs earned this season.
His trip around the bases did nothing to hinder his mound work. He struck out two more in the fourth. deGrom remained perfect.
Trouble struck in the fifth. deGrom walked David Peralta on four pitches to give Arizona their first baserunner of the afternoon. Stephen Vogt doubled, Arizona had runners on second and third with no outs. Lost of his control, deGrom walked Escobar. The only strike during the at-bat was a foul tip.
Arizona had bases loaded with no outs. The Mets were saved by solid defense. Nick Ahmed grounded into a double play, McNeil stepped on second and tossed it to Alonso. Peralta scored but the damage was limited. deGrom was reeling and walked Daulton Varsho right after. He locked in and struck out pinch-hitter Christian Walker. It was his final batter of the day.
The “Rat-coon” tandem walked and singled in the bottom of the fifth. Lindor has a four-game hitting streak.
deGrom planned to pitch the sixth inning. He threw two warmup pitches and shook his head. A meeting occurred with trainer Brian Chicklo, Luis Rojas, and Jeremy Hefner. deGrom left the field and Miguel Castro was called in relief.
The cold reliever began his outing hitting Smith with a pitch and walking Rojas. Miraculously the next three batters flew out and the Mets escaped with their one-run lead intact. He appeared twice against Arizona this series without allowing a hit.
The Mets added another run in the sixth without a hit. Alonso walked to lead off, Smith didn’t realize he was hit by a pitch, and Jonathan Villar walked on a 3-2 count. New York had bases loaded with one out. Arizona maneuvered to J.B. Bukauskas with McCann up. McCann struck out swinging. Patrick Mazeika pinch hit for Castro and recorded his second career RBI before recording his first hit. He walked to score Alonso. McNeil grounded out to end the inning.
Jacob Barnes owned the seventh. A fantastic turnaround from his first two appearances this year, Barnes recorded his seventh straight outing without allowing a run. He struck out Escobar and got Escobar and Arizona manager Torey Lovullo ejected in the process. Over Barnes’ last eight innings he’s allowed zero runs, four hits, and struck out four. No one reached base on Sunday.
The Mets added more runs in the seventh. Lindor reached on a fielding error by substitute third baseman Asdrubal Cabrera. Conforto and Smith singled to bring Lindor home.
The Mets kept Barnes in for the eight. Cabrera made up for the run he cost Arizona with a lead-off home run. He needed 16 pitches to retire Pavin Smith for the first out. Barnes needed 13 pitches for the entire seventh. Rojas doubled to force Luis Rojas‘ hand and put in his closer for the five-out save.
Edwin Diaz battled through the pouring rain. The ball slipped and he nailed Josh VanMeter with a fastball to the leg. The extra base runner worked out. Peralta grounded into a double play, Lindor to McNeil to Alonso, to end the inning.
Diaz opened the ninth with two straight strikeouts. Nick Ahmed popped up for the final out but the ball fell in between Diaz, McCann, and Villar to extend the inning. Diaz stayed strong and struck out Varsho for the final out and the series sweep.
