In his first start since striking out the side on 10 pitches in an electric All-Star Game performance, Jacob deGrom delivered a gem against the first place Nationals en route to a huge 7-2 win for the Mets.
Despite one bad pitch that catcher Wilson Ramos turned on for a two-run homer, deGrom went six solid innings allowing two just three hits with eight strikeouts and one walk.
“I would say I was a little amped up tonight to get out there,” deGrom said. “But I take every game the same. I want to put us in position to win and put up zeroes.”
However, despite tossing just 82 pitches, Terry Collins decided to pinch-hit for the Mets ace in the top of the seventh inning with the team down by a run and needing a critical hit with the tying and winning runs on base.
While the move was met with shock and awe, it worked brilliantly as pinch hitter Eric Campbell came through with a two-run single to put the Mets up 3-2.
“This is a baseball game. It’s not about one guy. It’s not about Jake deGrom giving us two more innings,” Collins said afterward.
“In a game you’re behind by a run and you have runners at second and third and the pitcher’s up, you’ve got to pinch hit. You’ve got to trust your bullpen. You’ve got to trust your guy off the bench. But that’s how you play the game.”
DeGrom didn’t question the move and was thrilled that it paid off and resulted in his 10th win of the season. “This was a huge win for us.”
His strong effort resulted in a 2.18 ERA and 0.903 WHIP for the young righty with 120 strike outs and only 21 walks in 119.2 innings pitched this season.
I will leave you with this last little tidbit on Jacob deGrom by way of veteran baseball guru, Peter Gammons.
“In May, 2012, the Red Sox were working on a deal with the Mets for catcher Kelly Shoppach. Ben Cherington asked Sandy Alderson for a soon-to-be 24-year-old righthanded pitcher in the Florida State League who had missed the 2011 season after surgery.”
“The name? Jacob deGrom. Alderson seemed comfortable with the original idea, but checking with his minor league people caused him to tell Cherington he had second thoughts. So, finally, Boston received Pedro Beato.”
Hahaha…Have a great day Mets fans!
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