The New York Mets (7-3) defeated the Miami Marlins (3-7) by a score of 7-5 tonight at Citi Field.
Pitching:
Dillon Gee started for the Mets, and got off to a rough start as he surrendered a two-run homer to Giancarlo Stanton in the top of the first. He settled down for the most part after this, but did allow another home run as Martin Prado took him deep for a solo shot in the fourth. Gee pitched into the sixth inning – an inning which he has had much trouble in the past, carrying a 6.37 ERA in the sixth inning into tonight’s game. He retired the first two batters before walking Stanton and a single to Martin Prado. He loaded the bases after walking Michael Morse and was replaced by Rafael Montero. Gee’s final line has him pitching 5 and 2/3rd’s innings, allowing 4 runs on 5 hits, while walking two and striking out 7. He received a no decision.
Montero came on with the bases juiced and two outs in the sixth, and walked Marcell Ozuna to force home a run. He was able to end the inning without further damage, by inducing a fly ball off the bat of J.T. Realmuto which Granderson tracked down and made a nice catch.
Montero started off the seventh, and let up a pinch hit triple to Ichiro. He was then replaced by Jerry Blevins.
Dee Gordon was the first man to face Blevins, and he rolled over a ball to second. Murphy came home on the play, but threw wildly. Ichiro dove for the plate and was initially called out, but after the Marlins challenged the play, it was overturned, as they had enough evidence that d’Arnaud never applied a tag. In what was a seesaw game up until this point, this play tied the game up at 5 a piece.
Blevins got the following batter Christian Yelich to hit into a double play which ended the inning.
Carlos Torres pitched the eighth inning, and let up a double to Giancarlo Stanton to start things off, but Stanton would remain put on the bases, as Torres retired the next three batters to face him.
Jeurys Familia notched the save for the Metropolitans – his fourth of the year – pitching a 1,2,3 ninth.
Offense:
Okay, so Lucas Duda is an absolute monster. He went 3-for-4 tonight with two doubles. He also gave the Mets the lead for good in the seventh inning with an RBI, go-ahead single. He is now hitting .395 on the season (15-for-38) with an OBP of .439. Duda is also only the fourth Met to hit multiple extra base hits in three consecutive games. (The last Met to do so was Carlos Beltran in 2006).
Wilmer Flores got the Mets on the board and tied the game in the fourth inning, with a three-run jack to left field, his first of the season.
Michael Cuddyer also had a good night, going 2-for-4 and driving in two runs. He is now hitting .297 on the season.
Eric Campbell also collected an RBI with a sacrifice fly in the sixth. He went 1-for-3 on the night
Thoughts:
In this back-and-forth game, the Mets really fought to earn this win. They were behind twice and came back to tie it both times. The Marlins also tied it at one point after the Mets had taken a lead, before the Amazin’s finally scored two runs in the seventh and stayed ahead for good. This team is resilient. Bottom line. There’s just something different about the 2015 Mets compared to year’s past. The Marlins take a three-run lead? No problem, tied up! Oh, we lost the lead again? Not to worry, we got this! We saw so much in the past when this would happen, that it would silence the Mets and they would get disheartened, but there’s just a buzz in the air and these guys are going out there and seizing the day. They have won five straight, Lucas Duda is on fire, and everyone is doing their job. I absolutely love it. Let’s take the series tomorrow night!
MMO Game Ball:
Lucas Duda. No further explanation needed. The man’s actions speaks for itself.
On Deck:
Bartolo Colon (2-0, 2.77 ERA) takes on former Yankee David Phelps tomorrow night. First pitch is at 7:10 PM.
