The New York Mets (19-11) defeated the San Diego Padres (13-19) by a score of 4-3 at PETCO Park Sunday afternoon on Mother’s Day. The Mets moved into sole possession of first place.
Pitching:
Matt Harvey was much better today as he was looking to get himself back on track after a lackluster start his last time out. The command was back and the velocity was back. Harvey pitched six innings, allowing 2 runs, striking out a season high 10, and walking two. Harvey’s velocity was regularly topping out in the 96 and 97 MPH range. He had command of his fastball, curveball, and changeup. The slider is still coming along slowly but Mets fans have to be encouraged by his effort today.
The Padres did score two runs off Harvey in bottom of the fifth after Christian Bethancourt launched a two-run home run on a line drive over the left field wall.
Jim Henderson came on in the seventh and gave up a run on a balk.
The Mets got themselves into a huge mess in the eighth inning. Jerry Blevins and Addison Reed gave up three straight singles to load the bases with nobody out in a one run game. Antonio Bastardo came in to clean up the mess and boy did he ever. Bastardo had to face three righties in a row and got a strikeout, a popup, and a strikeout to retire the inning. This may have been the best singular performance we’ve seen out of the bullpen this year.
Jeurys Familia would come in and shut the Padres down in the ninth in dominant fashion to secure the win.
Offense:
The Mets offense was fairly active today as they hammered out 12 hits.
With two outs in the second inning, Kevin Plawecki got things started early with a double to left fielder Melvin Upton Jr. Eric Campbell then brought him home with a single to make it 1-0. Matt Harvey then kept the train going with a single of his own. After a Curtis Granderson walk to load the bases, Asdrubal Cabrera hit a clutch single to make the game 2-0 early.
In the top of the third inning, Yoenis Cespedes launched his eleventh home run of the year over the left field wall.
In the top of the sixth inning, Matt Harvey channeled his inner Bartolo Colon by smacking a double off the base of the wall, his second hit of the day. Asdrubal Cabrera then came up clutch again with his second, two out, run scoring single to bring him in and give the Mets their fourth run of the day.
Notes:
Neil Walker was out of the lineup today due to a bruised shin. He was able to make a pinch-hit appearance in the eighth inning.
First place! With the Nats loss to the Cubs in extra innings, the Mets have now moved into sole possession of first place in the division.
On Deck:
The Mets will open up a four game series with the Los Angeles Dodgers tomorrow night at Dodgers stadium. The game has a start time of 10:10 PM. Steven Matz (4-1, 2.83 ERA) will look to continue his early season dominance as he goes up against fellow lefty Scott Kazmir (2-2 5.68 ERA). This will be the Mets first meeting with the Dodgers since last year’s National League Division Series. Can anybody say Chase Utley?
