The New York Mets won another game on Saturday in the same way they have to this point: Pitch well and get just enough on offense. Again, the Mets’ bats struggled and labored their way through the team’s 3-2 win over the New York Yankees, and the pitching carried the load. Griffin Canning, Huascar Brazoban, Reed Garrett, and Edwin Diaz guided the Mets to a win. Francisco Lindor got the go-ahead sacrifice fly in the top of the 9th.
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Griffin Canning Gives Mets Another Quality Outing
After the struggles of Tylor Megill in Friday’s loss to the Yankees, New York needed a good outing from Canning, and he gave them just that. Once again, Canning looked in control of his pitches and had direct command of his fastball. He gave up two solo home runs, but aside from that, he was rock solid against one of the best lineups in baseball, just like he was in his last start against the Chicago Cubs. He gave up 7 hits and struck out 4 in 5 1/3 innings of work.
Bullpen Shuts Out Yankee Bats
After Canning gave up the home run to Bellinger and two one-out singles, Brazoban took over in the bottom of the 6th to try to hold the Yankee offense in a tie game. He got J.C. Escarra to ground into a force out, where Pete Alonso threw Jason Dominguez out at home. He then got D.J. LeMahieu to ground into a force out to end the frame. He then had a 1-2-3 7th inning to end his day. In the bottom of the 8th, Reed Garrett found himself in some trouble. He walked Bellinger but got Paul Goldschmidt to ground into a double play. However, he walked Dominguez and allowed a double to Anthony Volpe. One walk to Escarra later, and the bases were loaded for LeMahieu. LeMahieu hit a sharp lineout right at Juan Soto to end the inning.
After the Mets finally broke through in the top of the 9th inning to get ahead 3-2, it was up to Diaz with Judge looming. Diaz struck out Austin Wells and got Ben Rice to pop out to Brett Baty. Setting up a duel with the best hitter in baseball. In a seven-pitch at-bat that saw Judge work his way to a full count after being down 0-2, Diaz blew him away with a 3-2 fastball up in the zone to seal the win for the Mets.
Defense Makes Big Plays
As mentioned, Alonso made a nice throw to Luis Torrens to keep the game tied, and Brett Baty made some really nice plays at third base. Lindor, who has been uncharacteristically inconsistent at the position, made a couple of good plays. Speaking of Baty, New York might be best to keep him at third base for the time being while Mark Vientos tries to figure things out as the designated hitter.
Lindor Comes Through At The Plate
It’s been a tough go for Lindor at the plate since his Mother’s Day walk-off home run against the Cubs. On Saturday, though, with the bases loaded and one out, and the Mets in desperate need of a run, Lindor put the ball in the outfield to get Luisangel Acuña home. Despite his struggles, Lindor remains the Mets’ best hitter in big spots.
Player of the Game: Pete Alonso
Another hitter who has struggled as of late has been Pete Alonso. Alonso has struck out 18 times over his last 9 games. In Saturday’s win, Alonso got back on track by going 2-for-4 with an RBI. He also made a key play on defense.
On Deck:
On Sunday night, the Mets will send David Peterson to the mound against Yankees ace Max Fried. The game will be telecast nationally on ESPN at 7:10 pm EDT and broadcast locally on Audacy Mets Radio WHSQ 880 AM.
