This just in: The Mets have won a baseball game.
No, the offense did not finally break out but thanks to another outstanding performance by Jacob deGrom, the Mets (37-37) defeated the Brewers (27-47) by a score of 2-0.
deGrom, in the midst of the best stretch of starts in his career, made his 15th start of the season as the Mets tried to avoid the sweep at the hands of Milwaukee. From the outset, deGrom was absolutely brilliant. He pounded the strike zone, tossing 77 of 100 pitches for strikes. On the afternoon, he allowed only four hits and didn’t walk a single batter. He finished with seven strikeouts in eight shutout innings. His ERA is now down to 2.15 for the year, seventh in baseball. To top it off, he collected a hit in three at-bats.
On offense, the Mets put together just enough to eek out two runs. They got six baserunners on over the first three innings but were unable to score thanks in part to Gerardo Parra’s great throw from center field that nabbed Michael Cuddyer at home. Cuddyer appeared to beat the throw but replay review revealed that he didn’t actually touch home plate, so he was called out.
The Mets would have to wait until the sixth inning to score their first run. With two outs, Michael Cuddyer singled to left field. The next batter, Wilmer Flores, pulled a ball down the left field line for a double. Cuddyer got a good jump and was able to score all the way from first, even with a pretty favorable bounce against the wall for the Brewers’ left fielder Shane Peterson.
The Mets would get another run in the seventh off Jonathan Broxton and Will Smith. With one out, deGrom singled to left. Dilson Herrera was up next and he singled as well. Granderson loaded the bases with his third single of the day. After a Ruben Tejada strikeout, Lucas Duda hit a very soft tapper just past the mound and beat out the throw from Jean Segura, allowing deGrom to score. The Mets finished the afternoon with ten total hits and two walks, but it wasn’t exactly pretty.
Jeurys Familia got the call for the ninth and made quick work of the Brewers for his 20th save of the season. He only needed 12 pitches to close out Milwaukee and snap the Mets’ seven-game losing streak.
Up Next
The Mets return home tomorrow night to begin a three-game series with the Reds. Noah Syndergaard (2-4, 4.03 ERA) takes on Johnny Cueto (4-4, 2.98) at 7:10 p.m.
