With the help of Steven Matz‘ strong outing on the rubber, the Mets’ 7-2 victory on Wednesday completed the four-game series sweep over the Miami Marlins.
After throwing a complete-game shutout in 99 pitches just two starts ago, the lefty was less efficient on Wednesday afternoon, tossing 103 pitches through 6 2/3 innings.
He gave up seven hits but was able to work his way out of a few jams to deliver a solid outing allowing just two runs to score. He walked two and added seven strikeouts.
Matz got into some trouble in the second when he walked first baseman Garrett Cooper and let up back-to-back singles to Starlin Castro and Lewis Brinson to drive in Miami’s first run.
He coasted until the sixth when he gave up a one-out Brian Anderson home run to left-center field. Matz retired his next four batters and was replaced by Justin Wilson after allowing a Bryan Holaday double with two outs in the seventh. He received a standing ovation from fans, deservedly so.
While the southpaw was not particularly sharp, but with the Mets red hot offense delivering four homers on the afternoon, his solid outing, followed by three clean innings from the club’s relief corps solidified the triumph.
The 2019 New York team that was projected to be sellers at the trade deadline has been putting all of the pieces together. With a 59-56 record, the Mets are 19-6 since the All-Star break with the highest winning percentage across all of baseball during that span.
Led by impressive performances all around, the Amazin’ starting pitchers have seemingly all hit their stride at the same time. The Mets have won six straight games and 13 of their last 14. Their active 13-1 run is their best 14-game stretch since 1990, when the team went 16-1 from June 17-July 6, per Anthony DiComo of MLB.com.
The rotation’s ERA since the All-Star break leads all of baseball at an impressive 2.62. In five starts post-Midsummer Classic, Matz owns a 3.38 ERA with a 0.716 WHIP. With Wednesday’s win, the lefty now holds a 7-7 record on the season and lowered his ERA to a 4.49.
If the Mets’ pitching can continue to deliver, and the offense continues to provide strong run support, this miracle run has a chance to send the ballclub that was counted out of the race just two short weeks ago right into playing October baseball.
