Sometimes, the stage is set for complete and utter disaster. The media was demanding Mickey Callaway be fired for using Seth Lugo instead of allowing Noah Syndergaard face one more batter. The Mets eventually lost that game, and it seemed like there was going to be a downward spiral leading to another horrific June.
After all, the Mets had lost six of their last eight games with some pretty epic bullpen meltdowns. Stepping to the mound was Jason Vargas, who was averaging fewer than five innings per start meaning the team was likely going to need relievers like Wilmer Font and Drew Gagnon, i.e. pitchers Callaway was going out of his way not to use. In some ways, with the Mets wrapping up their draft and the heightened media pressure on the team, there was a sense this could be the final days of the Callaway Era.
Instead, Vargas pitched one of the best games any Mets starter has pitched this season.
After Joe Panik‘s leadoff double to begin the game, no Giants player would again touch second base. Overall, Vargas pitched nine dominant innings allowing just five hits. While walks and control have been an issue for Vargas all year, he only walked one in this game while striking out eight batters.
The last time he struck out eight while walking fewer than two batters was last August against the Nationals. The last time he threw a complete game or a shutout was June 2, 2017, against the Indians. The last time he had gone consecutive starts with seven-plus innings was June 24 – June 30, 2017. Essentially, this was a “turn back the clock” type of performance to Vargas’ last All-Star appearance. It was a throw back to how he pitched before it all came crashing down for him.
Suddenly, Vargas has made three consecutive starts qualifying for the win. With that, he’s increasingly becoming less of a drain on the bullpen. In fact, with his last two starts, he is actually saving the bullpen. More than that, instead of just keeping the Mets in the game, he is a reason why the Mets win games. That is a huge turnaround from Vargas from what he has been since his All-Star appearance.
This could not be coming at a better time because the Mets needed every inning out of their rotation they can get right now, and they need every win they can get. Suddenly, with Vargas finally pitching well, the Mets outlook looks much better, and that is why it is the Neon Moment of the Week!
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