The Mets (40-49) opened up a four game, weeknight series against the division leading Atlanta Braves (49-40) tonight at Citi Field with Daisuke Matsuzaka facing off against Mike Minor.
What you should know:
Matsuzaka wasn’t the prettiest for New York tonight, but he still managed to throw seven scoreless innings, while allowing six hits, walking two and striking out three.
The Mets jumped out to an early lead in the bottom of the second as Travis d’Arnaud kept up his hot hitting, driving in Eric Campbell on an RBI double.
They would add on to their lead in the bottom of the third with David Wright hitting a solo shot, his seventh of the season.
The score would remain 2-0 New York until the top of the eighth inning as Atlanta scored three runs. Josh Edgin came in with two outs and threw a wild pitch to Jason Heyward that scored Freddie Freeman. Heyward would single, and be driven in by a long double hit by Chris Johnson off of Jenrry Mejia who was brought in for a four out save. Christian Bethancourt then hit a soft single to right field. The ball was cutoff by first baseman Eric Campbell who threw to second instead of home, allowing the go ahead run to score.
The score wouldn’t stay 3-2 Atlanta for very long, as Curtis Granderson hit a solo homerun to right field to tie the game, his thirteenth of the season.
After Eric Campbell singled in the bottom of the ninth, Juan Lagares dropped down a sacrifice bunt. The ball was thrown to second, but Andrelton Simmons‘ foot came off the base. The play was reviewed and overturned, giving the Mets two on and no out as opposed to one on and one out. After loading the bases, nothing would come into fruition as the Mets failed to score a run.
After two quality innings pitched by Carlos Torres, the Mets would win the ballgame in walk-off fashion, with Ruben Tejada singling home Juan Lagares to win the game in the bottom of the eleventh inning.
Final score: Mets 4, Braves 3
Winning pitcher: Carlos Torres (4-4)
Losing pitcher: Anthony Varvaro (3-2)
Player of the Game:
The Player of the Game goes to Mets’ shortstop Ruben Tejada, who delivered the walk-off hit to win the game for New York in the bottom of the eleventh inning.
Thoughts:
In a game where Matsuzaka didn’t have his best stuff, he still managed to hold the Braves scoreless over a span of seven innings. The Mets bullpen blew it in the eighth inning, and every Mets fan became bitter as it seemed that it was another night with the same result, and the Mets destined to lose. However, the Mets never lost hope as they battled back and secured the win! Ruben Tejada has been hot, which is a great sign, and we all hope he can keep it up. Also, good to see Granderson keep up the good work, and Travis d’Arnaud continue his hot streak. (d’Arnaud has hit safely in 10 of his last 11 games since being recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas)
On deck:
The Mets continue their series against Atlanta tomorrow night at Citi Field with Jacob deGrom (1-5, 3.77 ERA) squaring off against Julio Teheran (8-5, 2.29 ERA)
