The Mets (42-41) defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers (46-37) by a score of 8-0 this afternoon at Dodger Stadium.
Steven Matz was handed a lead before he even took the mound today, as the Mets got out to an early 1-0 lead in the top half of the first.
The Dodgers put on the shift against Curtis Granderson to lead off the game, and he made them pay as he reached first on a little dribbler to the left side. Daniel Murphy then contributed a single of his own to put runners on the corners with no out for Lucas Duda.
Duda hit a sharp liner to second, but the runners were able to scramble back to avoid being doubled off.
Wilmer Flores was able to get the run home on the next at-bat as he shot one into right field. Flores had a big day in L.A. going 4-for-5 with three RBI’s. His four hits are a career high, and he has also raised his OPS 47 points after going 10-for-13 in the series.
In the fourth inning, Johnny Monell and Ruben Tejada hit back-to-back singles to start the frame and put runners on first and third with Steven Matz coming to the plate.
Matz grounded out, but collected his 5th RBI of the season, the most for a pitcher in a two game span since Dwight Gooden.
Juan Lagares then reached on a single that hit off the umpire, and Curtis Granderson hit an RBI double down the third base line to score Ruben Tejada.
Daniel Murphy was intentionally walked to load the bases, as the Dodgers chose to pitch to the struggling Lucas Duda, who promptly struck out swinging.
Wilmer Flores collected his second RBI of the day on a single up the middle, which was fielded by Dodgers shortstop Enrique Hernandez, who was too late, leaving the bases loaded.
Michael Cuddyer, who is having an abysmal season, struck out to end the inning. Cuddyer went 0-for-5 on the day and left nine runners on base. He is now hitting .107 in his last 18 games.
Steven Matz pitched six strong innings, earning his second big league win. Though he didn’t look super comfortable up there at times, and fell behind in the counts a decent amount, he still managed to let up only two hits, two walks and struck out eight.
Matz’s 14 strike outs through his first career starts are second only to Matt Harvey, who struck out 18 in the same span.
Wilmer Flores lead off the seventh inning and hit a double to left field. After Michael Cuddyer struck out, Johnny Monell walked and Ruben Tejada drove in a run with a single to right field to give the Mets a 5-0 lead.
Juan Lagares then tripled to score two more on a play that was misjudged by Yasiel Puig, causing the ball to go over his head.
Daniel Murphy added another hit in the eighth inning, as he singled to lead off the frame. Murphy went 3-for-4 on the day.
Daniel was erased on a fielder’s choice from Lucas Duda, who in turn advanced to second on a throwing error from Enrique Hernandez.
Wilmer Flores doubled him in for the Mets eighth run of the day.
The Mets then loaded the bases, but Logan Verrett grounded out to end the inning.
Logan Verrett had a very good day on the mound, as he relieved Steven Matz to pitch the final three innings of the game, and sealing the win for the Amazin’s. He earned his first career save in the process, and the first save in his professional career.
The Mets thirteen hits is the most for them in a single game since June 14th, almost a month ago.
On deck:
The Mets travel to San Francisco and start a three game series with the Giants tomorrow night. Jon Niese (3-8, 3.90 ERA) takes the mound for the Mets and will go up against Chris Heston (8-5, 3.78 ERA) who no-hit the Mets the last time they saw him. First pitch is at 10:15 PM E.T.
