Down 3-2 in the top of the fourth inning, a strike away from wasting a bases-loaded, no-out threat, Soto unloaded on a signature Charlie Morton curveball. The ball, which stayed too much in the zone, was blasted over the wall in right-center field for a grand slam. Just the second grand slam of his career, it was the first of Soto’s Mets career, and it turned a 3-2 score in favor of the Tigers to 6-3 in favor of the Mets.

Soto then delivered another massive moment at the top of the sixth, with the Tigers having tied the game since his slam two innings before. Against funky-throwing lefty Drew Sommers, Soto grounded a ball down the right field line and not only drove in two runs, but recorded his first triple of the season. Brandon Nimmo followed with an RBI single to give the Mets their ninth run of the game.

Even with Soto’s heroics and a total of nine runs through six innings, the Mets were still struggling to stay afloat. Sean Manaea delivered the typical grueling, ineffective start we’ve seen too often from him lately. The damage started immediately when Jahmai Jones led off the game with a no-doubt home run on the first pitch he saw.

Wenceel Pérez then took Manaea deep with a two-run shot in the third, putting the Tigers ahead of the Mets after Luis Torrens‘ two-run double had given the Mets the lead an inning prior. When Juan Soto responded with his grand slam to give Manaea a three-run cushion, Manaea went back out and allowed two runs and four hits in the fourth inning, being pulled with an out to go. He finished the game with five runs allowed in 3 2/3 innings, raising his ERA from an ugly 5.01 to an even worse 5.60. With Charlie Morton also being chased early, both teams were forced into early bullpen games with 11 combined runs already across through four innings.

This is Soto’s 1st HR of 2025 with more than 1 runner on base
pic.twitter.com/5Q7h7YzkbM

— Metsmerized Online (@Metsmerized) September 1, 2025

The Mets went down in order in the top of the fifth inning, but the Tigers kept their foot on the gas and tied the game in the bottom of the inning. Gregory Soto allowed a couple of hits before Ryne Stanek was brought in with runners on the corners and one out. The Tigers were able to score easily when a Stanek pitch made it to the backstop, but the Mets avoided further trouble as Stanek allowed a flyout and a sharp lineout to end the inning.

With Soto and Nimmo combining to give the Mets another three-run lead in the sixth, the Mets added on an inning later in the seventh to put themselves ahead by four for the first time. An error and a walk put runners on first and second with no outs, and a Luis Torrens sacrifice bunt and a Brett Baty fielder’s choice groundout combined to score the Mets’ 10th run of the day.

The Mets’ four-run lead didn’t last long, though. Tyler Rogers had stabilized things a bit with a scoreless sixth inning, but the volatile Ryan Helsley made just five pitches in the seventh and allowed a run before coming out. The first two batters of the inning ambushed him on first-pitch fastballs and hit them hard, one of which was pulled for a double and one was lined for an out. Helsley then recorded a groundout before Zach McKinstry put another first pitch into play, knocking an RBI single to make it a 10-7 game. Brooks Raley bailed out Helsley by recording the final out of the inning to keep the Mets up three with six outs to go.

Raley remained in the game in the eighth and allowed the Tigers to cut into the lead once more, letting Jahmai Jones score after he led off the inning with a double. Raley recorded two outs but was pulled to allow Edwin Díaz to complete a four-out save with a two-run lead. Spencer Torkelson hit a long fly ball off Díaz, but Nimmo reeled it in in front of the wall in left field to complete the eighth.

Díaz had a couple of hard-hit balls against him in the ninth inning, one that went foul and missed a home run by inches, and one that was lined and caught in center field. Díaz, though, was his typical dominant self as he recorded two strikeouts to clinch a 10-8 Mets win. With the win, the Mets remain four games ahead of the Reds in the NL Wild Card Race.

Stat of the Game: A Couple of “Firsts” for Soto

Juan Soto’s huge game gave him a couple of firsts in a Mets uniform. His grand slam was not only his first as a Met, but it was his first home run as a Met with more than one runner on base. Soto also recorded his first triple as a Met after he had four a season ago with the Yankees.

Soto also tied his career-high for RBIs in a game with six, which he had previously recorded in 2023 when he was with the Padres.

Player of the Game: Juan Soto

The Mets needed all the run support they could get in this game with Sean Manaea making things difficult, and Juan Soto delivered. In five plate appearances, Soto went 2-for-3 with a grand slam, a triple, two walks, and six RBIs. It was one of his best games in a Mets uniform, and he now owns a .915 OPS on the season.

On Deck

The Mets will continue their series with the Tigers Tuesday evening, with first pitch scheduled for 6:40 p.m. ET. Nolan McLean (3-0, 0.89 ERA) takes the mound for New York, while Detroit’s starter is still to be determined. The game will air on SNY.

The post Soto Slam Powers Mets Over Tigers 10-8 appeared first on Metsmerized.

Via Mets

The Mets were powered by Brandon Nimmo, who delivered a monster game. He went 4-for-6 with two home runs and nine RBIs, which ties Carlos Delgado for the all-time club record in a single game. All of the RBIs came from the sixth inning onward and included a three-run homer, a grand slam, and a two-run double.

The offensive outburst was desperately needed from Nimmo, who entered Monday’s action seriously struggling. In one game, Nimmo raised his OPS from .575 to .679 and added nine RBIs to the 12 he had through 26 games.

Jeff McNeil also played a pivotal role in the victory, at least early on when the game was still close. McNeil, who has dealt with his own struggles the past few years, went 2-for-5 with a home run, a triple, and a sacrifice fly while playing center field and batting eighth in the order. McNeil drove in the Mets’ second and third runs of the game, hitting his sacrifice fly in the second inning after a 10-pitch at-bat before crushing his homer on the first pitch of the fifth inning. He drove in three runs in total.

The Mets’ 3-0 lead didn’t last long, as the lead was instantly doubled in the sixth inning. Nimmo broke the game open by doubling the Mets’ lead from 3-0 to 6-0 with a 410-foot, three-run home run—his first of the game. He unloaded on a high fastball against lefty Colin Poche, who bested Nimmo in Sunday’s game by getting him to ground into a double play.

In case Nimmo’s sixth-inning home run wasn’t big enough of a statement, the left fielder crushed a grand slam in the seventh inning, pushing the Mets’ lead from 7-0 to 11-0. Nimmo came up again in the eighth inning with the bases loaded yet again, and this time he ripped a double down the right field line, driving in two more runs to give him nine on the day.

McNeil and Luisangel Acuña drove in two more runs following Nimmo’s hit, putting the Mets up 15-0. In the top of the ninth, former Met Amed Rosario was sent out as the sacrificial position player to pitch to the Mets. He allowed four runs, giving up an RBI single to Jesse Winker before Mark Vientos unloaded a three-run homer to give the Mets 19 runs for the day.

The Mets’ shutout was broken by this point, with José Ureña seriously laboring in the eighth inning and allowing five runs. Ureña, who pitched a clean seventh inning to begin his outing, stayed on for the ninth inning and was able to complete the three-inning save to keep the Mets’ bullpen fresh.

Lost in all the offensive fireworks was another great outing from Griffin Canning, who tossed five scoreless innings. With his effort, Canning improved his record to 4-1 and his ERA from 3.12 to 2.61 as he continues to look like a brilliant David Stearns signing. Max Kranick also recorded a scoreless inning as his great season continues.

In the win, the Mets scored 19 runs on 21 hits, with eight Mets batters recording two or more hits. The win also makes the Mets the first MLB team to reach 20 wins this year, as their record now sits at 20-9.

They salvaged a series tie in emphatic fashion and will now head back to Citi Field for their next series.

Stat of the Game: Nimmo Makes Mets History

Brandon Nimmo had a historic game, tying Carlos Delgado for the most RBIs in a single game in Mets history with nine. He also became the first player to record nine RBIs in a three-inning span since Sammy Sosa did so in Colorado in 2002.

Player of the Game: Brandon Nimmo

No surprise here. Nimmo had the best offensive game of his career and willed the Mets to a lopsided victory. He raised his OPS by .104 points and increased his RBI total on the year by 75 percent.

On Deck

The Mets return home Tuesday to begin a series with the Arizona Diamondbacks. David Peterson (1-1, 3.29 ERA) will go for the Mets while Eduardo Rodriguez (1-2, 4.40 ERA) will go for Arizona in a matchup of southpaws.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m., and the game will be broadcast on SNY.

The post Nimmo, Mets Explode for 19 Runs in Drubbing of Nats appeared first on Metsmerized.

The offense was scarce to begin the game, with both teams trading just a pair of solo homers through the first four innings. Otto Lopez got things started for the Marlins in the first before Starling Marte tied the game up in the third with his first homer of the season. The 1-1 score remained into the middle innings as both David Peterson and Cal Quantrill looked strong in their first starts of the year.

Quantrill’s start came to an abrupt end in the fifth inning, however, as he failed to record an out. Having already surrendered a run on a Jose Siri double, he faced a bases-loaded, no-out predicament with Pete Alonso up at the plate. The Polar Bear ran the count full before sending a low-and-away fastball into the right-center field gap and over the fence for a grand slam.

🚨POLAR BLAST🚨 pic.twitter.com/pRd0YkxtYM

— Metsmerized Online (@Metsmerized) April 1, 2025

With one swing, the Mets’ offense was alive for the first time this season. Alonso’s slam, giving the Mets a 6-1 lead, promptly removed Quantrill from the game, but the runs didn’t stop there for New York. After a Mark Vientos walk, Luis Torrens sent a ball deep into center field that looked like it was caught, but the ball ricocheted out of Derek Hill‘s glove and over the wall for a two-run homer. Just like that, a seven-run fifth inning put the Mets up 8-1.

Brandon Nimmo joined in on the fun with a two-run home run the following inning, sending one out to dead center. It was the Mets’ fourth homer of the game, giving them a 10-1 lead and their first game with double-digit runs this season.

While the Mets offense was knocking the ball around the park, David Peterson held things down on the mound. Outside of having surrendered a solo homer in the first to Otto Lopez and another in the sixth to Eric Wagaman, Peterson looked sharp in his first outing of the season. The lefty finished with two runs allowed in six innings, allowing five hits and three walks while striking out nine.

Huascar Brazobán followed Peterson out of the bullpen and delivered two scoreless innings before Danny Young sealed the deal in the ninth, but not without giving up a pair of runs. Thankfully, the Mets built themselves a big enough cushion that it didn’t matter, and they still comfortably cruised to a 10-4 victory.

Stat of the Game: Hitting it Hard

In the Mets’ explosive fifth inning, the team had six batted balls with exit velocities over 102 miles per hour. The team didn’t get the results they hoped for in the first three games of the season, but they got them in a big way in the opener in Miami.

Player of the Game: Pete Alonso

Pete Alonso began this season on a quest for the Mets home run record. He put a small dent into that with his first homer this year, but it had a massive effect on the game as it extended the Mets’ lead from 2-1 to 6-1 and allowed them to breathe for the first time this season. Alonso also singled and walked in the effort, reaching base three times.

On Deck

The Mets continue their series in Miami with a 6:40 p.m. ET game Tuesday night. Kodai Senga (0-0, 0.00 ERA) takes the mound for the first time in 2025 after spending most of 2024 on the shelf, while Sandy Alcantara (0-0, 3.86 ERA) makes his second start of the season. The game will be broadcast on SNY.

The post Mets Power Past Marlins 10-4 appeared first on Metsmerized.

The Dodgers took the first game of the World Series in thrilling fashion, defeating the Yankees 6-3 in 10 innings. The majority of the first nine innings were a pitchers’ duel, as the first run didn’t score until the fifth inning. Giancarlo Stanton continued his impressive postseason by launching a massive two-run homer in the sixth inning, getting the Yankees on the board and putting them in front 2-1.

The Dodgers tied the game back up in the eighth inning with a Mookie Betts sacrifice fly, and a scoreless ninth inning from both teams forced extras. The Yankees struck first in the top of the 10th, with Jazz Chisholm Jr. stealing two bags to set up a run scored on an Anthony Volpe ground ball fielder’s choice.

The Dodgers brought the bottom of the order to the plate in the 10th inning without the ghost runner, and a Gavin Lux walk made a Shohei Ohtani plate appearance likely. Ohtani came to the plate with two on and facing Nestor Cortes, but he flied out to left field on one pitch to bring the Dodgers down to their final out.

Ohtani’s fly ball brought Alex Verdugo, who made an impressive grab, into the stands which allowed the runners to advance to second and third. With first base open, Aaron Boone intentionally walked Mookie Betts to get Freddie Freeman to the plate in a left-on-left matchup. Freeman made Boone pay as he launched a grand slam into the seats on the first pitch he saw, giving the Dodgers an elating Game 1 victory.

Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Latest Mets News

Francisco Lindor sat courtside at Madison Square Garden on Friday night for the Knicks’ home opener.

Latest MLB News

Freddie Freeman’s walk-off grand slam in Game 1 is the first ever walk-off grand slam in World Series history. It’s also just the second walk-off grand slam in postseason history, with the first being from Nelson Cruz in Game 2 of the 2011 ALCS.

Latest on MMO

Andrew Steele-Davis grades Jeff McNeil‘s 2024 season.

David Melendi discusses the players the Mets should consider non-tendering.

Brian Wright revisits one of the greatest moments in Mets history that happened 38 years ago yesterday: the victory in Game 6 of the 1986 World Series and the infamous “gets through Buckner” play.

On This Date in Mets History

2000: The Mets lost Game 5 of the World Series, 4-2, to drop the World Series in five games to the New York Yankees. The Yankees broke a 2-2 tie in the top of the ninth by scoring two runs, and Mariano Rivera closed it out for the Yankees’ 26th World Series title. The Mets lost in their first World Series appearance since 1986 and wouldn’t reach the big stage again until 2015.

Born On This Date: Dominic Leone (1991), Jaime Cerda (1978), Elio Chacón (1936).

The post Morning Briefing: Freeman Hits First Ever World Series Walk-Off Slam appeared first on Metsmerized.

One of the day’s highlights was a grand slam for St. Lucie off the bat of A.J. Ewing, whose four-run shot walked off the game in the bottom of the ninth. Drew Gilbert continued his power surge for Syracuse, slugging a three-run homer, his third in the past week.

Triple-A

Durham Bulls (60-66) 10, Syracuse Mets (68-56) 6

BOX SCORE

• 2B Luisangel Acuña: 2-for-5, R (.658 OPS)
• CF Drew Gilbert: 1-for-5, HR (4), R, 3 RBI (12), K (.660 OPS)
• 3B Luke Ritter: 2-for-4, HR (24), 2 R, RBI (82), K (.871 OPS)
• LF Jackie Bradley Jr.: 2-for-4, 2B (4) (.719 OPS)

The Syracuse Mets lost to the Durham Bulls 10-6 in the series finale. The game was not as close as the score suggested, as Durham led 7-1 in the sixth inning and 10-3 in the ninth inning. Drew Gilbert hit a three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth to bring the Mets closer. While it didn’t help the team win, it was Gilbert’s third home run in the past five games, as he has looked good after missing an extended period.

• RHP Dom Hamel (L, 3-7): 4 1/3 IP, 3 ER, 5 H, 3 BB, 4 K (6.50 ERA)
• LHP Alex Young: 2/3 IP, 0 ER, H, 0 BB, K (2.25 ERA)
• RHP Tyler Zuber: 2/3 IP, 4 ER, 3 H, 2 BB, K (3.81 ERA)
• RHP Justin Jarvis: 1 1/3 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 0 BB, 2 K (6.25 ERA)
• RHP Grant Hartwig: 2/3 IP, 2 ER, H, 0 BB, 0 K (4.00 ERA)
• RHP Max Kranick: 1/3 IP, ER, H, 0 BB, 0 K (3.51 ERA)
• RHP Eric Orze: 1 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 0 BB, 0 K (3.35 ERA)

The Mets needed seven pitchers to complete the game. Four pitchers allowed at least one run, and four pitchers had outings of less than an inning. Dom Hamel struggled as the starter, earning his seventh loss of the year, while Tyler Zuber, Grant Hartwig, and Max Kranick allowed runs out of the bullpen. Zuber’s outing was especially troubling, as he allowed four runs while recording just two outs.

Double-A

Reading Fightin Phils (52-67) 1, Binghamton Rumble Ponies (62-55) 2

BOX SCORE

• SS Wyatt Young: 2-for-4, 2 K, SB (15) (.748 OPS)
• 1B Ryan Clifford: 0-for-2, 2 BB, K (.803 OPS)
• RF Stanley Consuegra: 1-for-3, BB, K, SB (4) (.624 OPS)
• CF Jaylen Palmer: 2-for-3, HR (10), R, 2 RBI (25), BB, K (.748 OPS)

The Binghamton Rumble Ponies eeked out their win over the Reading Fightin Phils, 2-1. Jaylen Palmer was the offensive hero, driving in both runs on a solo homer in the second inning and an RBI single in the bottom of the 10th to walk it off. The game was 1-1 heading into extras, with both teams struggling offensively. Outside of Palmer’s two hits, the rest of Binghamton’s offense recorded three hits, with two coming from Wyatt Young.

• RHP Nolan McLean: 4 2/3 IP, ER, H, BB, 7 K (4.30 ERA)
• RHP Cameron Foster: 1 1/3 IP, 0 ER, 4 H, 0 BB, 2 K (3.45 ERA)
• LHP Daniel Juarez: 2 IP, 0 ER, H, 0 BB, 3 K (4.91 ERA)
• RHP TJ Shook (W, 2-1): 2 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 0 BB, 3 K (1.35 ERA)

It was a wonderfully pitched game by Binghamton’s staff. Nolan McLean started the game and had a successful outing despite not making it through five innings. Cameron Foster, Daniel Juarez, and TJ Shook relieved him and combined for 5 1/3 scoreless innings to secure the win. Shook earned the victory, tossing two perfect innings to end the game.

High-A

Jersey Shore BlueClaws (67-53) 11, Brooklyn Cyclones (57-63) 2

BOX SCORE

• CF Nick Morabito: 1-for-3, R, BB (.724 OPS)
• 1B Christopher Suero: 1-for-4, R (.652 OPS)
• LF Kellum Clark: 0-for-4, RBI (9), 2 K (.600 OPS)
• RF Omar De Los Santos: 2-for-4, RBI (29), K (.607 OPS)

The Brooklyn Cyclones struggled against the Jersey Shore BlueClaws, falling 11-2. The offense recorded just five hits, all singles, and they recorded both of their runs in the bottom of the ninth to avoid a shutout. Kellum Clark recorded the first RBI with a fielder’s choice before Omar De Los Santos added the second run with an RBI single.

• RHP Jack Wenninger (L, 1-2): 2 IP, 4 R (3 ER), 5 H, BB, 0 K (3.55 ERA)
• RHP Luis Moreno: 3 IP, 0 ER, H, BB, 4 K (4.64 ERA)
• RHP Alan Perdomo: 1 IP, 0 ER, H, BB, K (2.70 ERA)
• LHP Gregori Louis: 1 IP, ER, 3 H, 0 BB, 0 K (3.00 ERA)
• RHP Henry Henry: 2/3 IP, 5 ER, 4 H, BB, K (10.38 ERA)
• RHP Alfred Vega: 1/3 IP, ER, 2 H, 0 BB, 0 K (10.38 ERA)
• RHP Jawilme Ramirez: 1 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, BB, 0 K (4.02 ERA)

Like the Syracuse Mets, Brooklyn also needed seven pitchers to get through this game. Jack Weninger and Henry Henry allowed nine of the 11 runs to come across in a combined 2 2/3 innings, while Luis Moreno shined with three scoreless innings of relief. The Brooklyn pitching staff allowed 11 runs on 16 hits and five walks.

Low-A

Palm Beach Cardinals (74-44) 5, St. Lucie Mets (40-78) 8

BOX SCORE

• DH Carson Benge: 1-for-2, R, 2 BB, K (.675 OPS)
• 1B Yohairo Cuevas: 1-for-2, 2B (25), R, 2 RBI (41), K (.619 OPS)
• CF A.J. Ewing: 3-for-5, 2B (10), HR (5), 2 R, 4 RBI (30) (.711 OPS)
• C Vincent Perozo: 2-for-3, R, RBI (20), K (.553 OPS)

A.J. Ewing’s walk-off grand slam capped off a thrilling come-from-behind victory in which St. Lucie overcame a 5-1 deficit in the ninth inning and scored a whopping seven runs. The first run of the ninth inning scored on a fielder’s choice before two more came home on a double from Yohairo Cuevas. A.J. Ewing’s grand slam ended it and gave St. Lucie a victory to end the series.

• RHP Jorge De Leon: 1 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 0 H, 4 BB, 3 K (7.64 ERA)
• LHP Jeremy Peguero: 1/3 IP, 2 ER, H, 3 BB, K (3.03 ERA)
• RHP Irving Cota: 3 IP, ER, 5 H, BB, 2 K (2.84 ERA)
• RHP Christian Rodriguez (W, 1-0): 4 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, BB, 3 K (1.13 ERA)

After Jorge De Leon and Jeremy Peguero combined to walk seven and allow four runs in two innings, Irving Cota and Christian Rodriguez turned the game around, allowing just one earned run in the following seven innings. Rodriguez was particularly great, throwing four scoreless innings and recording his first win of the season.

The post Mets Minors Report: Drew Gilbert’s Home Run Trip Continues appeared first on Metsmerized.

What’s the lasting image of José Bautista? Probably his bat flip/toss/throw following his tide-turning three-run home run in the deciding game of the 2015 American League Division Series against the Rangers. However, his signature Mets moment was a walk-off grand slam on July 6, 2018, against the Rays.

Sure, both homers led to wins, but the difference between the two long balls is stark. One homer propelled the Blue Jays into the AL Championship Series. The other put the Mets 12.5 games back and six games under .500.

While the homer is forgotten in Mets lore, it’s hard to pick a signature Mets moment for Bautista. Joey Bats wore the orange and blue for a mere 83 games and was in the sunset of his career after six straight All-Star seasons with the Blue Jays. Now, after ending his career with three National League East teams in 2018, he appears on the Hall of Fame ballot for the first time.

When he turned 29, the Hall of Fame was an afterthought. Bautista was a Rule 5 Draft choice and played for three teams in his rookie year of 2004 before the Mets returned to his original squad, the Pittsburgh Pirates. From 2005 through 2008 he was nothing more than a service starter for a bad team. The Bucs then sent him to Toronto in ’09, in what seemed like another meaningless transaction.

After a mediocre first season with the Jays, Bautista broke out in 2010. He led the majors with 54 home runs in 2010 and made his first All-Star appearance. Bautista proved 2010 wasn’t a fluke, and led the majors with 43 homers in 2011. In those two seasons, his combined RBI total was 227. His OPS+ for that span was 173.

From 2010-15 he was an All-Star every year. The Jays had a legitimate power threat in the middle of their lineup. By the end of this stretch, Toronto was back in the postseason for the first time in 23 years and Bautista had contributed his third 40-homer season. He further added his name into Canadian lore with one of the most memorable homers in franchise history.

Bautista is both a feel-good story and a villain (especially with Rangers fans). Is a torrid six-year stretch enough?

The Case Against

If you had to go into the minds of voters, fair or not, Bautista peaked too late. The narrative of becoming one of the game’s best hitters after years in obscurity is a great story, just usually not a Hall of Fame story.

As great as that surge was, it was bookended with valleys. Those seven years were sandwiched between his first five years, in which he was worth -2.9 bWAR, and his final three years, in which his WAR was just 1.5. He effectively got started in his age-29 season and experienced a significant decline beginning at age 35.

Even amongst those joining the 2024 Hall of Fame ballot, Bautista ranks ninth in career bWAR at 36.7. His peak was better than most of the players above him, but he had nothing of substance around that peak. He was one of the best power hitters in recent MLB history, yet he still ranks 101st on the all-time home run list behind lesser sluggers (and non-Hall of Famers) who played longer like Torii Hunter and Chili Davis.

Final Thoughts

There are many careers you remember, ranging in greatness, that aren’t bound for the Hall of Fame. They fall short because they weren’t great enough, great only relative to the team they were on, or great for a short time. Bautista ends up in that last category mainly. He peaked late and briefly. He certainly had his moments and that deserves discussion, or at least his name to remain on the ballot past this year. But nothing more than that.

The post Hall of Fame Case: José Bautista appeared first on Metsmerized.

Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Brett Baty had a game for the ages for the Syracuse Mets on Saturday.

In the second of a three-game series against the Worcester Red Sox, Baty absolutely exploded at the plate with an outing that will live long in the memory and also make it hard for the Mets front office to keep him in Triple-A for much longer.

The Syracuse Mets piled on the runs as they beat Worcester for their first win of the year, but all of the headlines will revolve around Baty. And rightly so.

He began his dominant day with his first home run of the 2023 season, dispatching an absolute bomb of a blast out to center field to get Syracuse on the board in the top of the inning. It was Baty’s first at-bat of the game and it was just a tantalizing sign of things to come.

It came after Baty had hit a 106 mph double the other way in his first at-bat against Worcester in the 2023 season opener on Friday. The third baseman wasted little time in showing off the power that should eventually see him make the transition to a productive everyday player in the bigs.

Baty continued to rake on Saturday, hitting a single on a ground ball in the top of the third inning, before dispatching another single on a line-drive to left field in the fifth. Baty also drew a walk and scored on a Jonathan Arauz single in the third. If that wasn’t enough, with two men out in the fifth, Baty was also able to steal second base as he continued to impact the game in every way possible.

Brett Baty has four hits and two home runs today in Triple-A.

pic.twitter.com/awhYb6ZNcY

— Metsmerized Online (@Metsmerized) April 1, 2023

However, his best work of the game came in the sixth inning as Baty hit a monster of a grand slam that left the bat at 112 MPH to left field. It was yet another example of Baty’s pure power and it was also a blast that blew the game wide open. It seemed that everything Baty touched at the plate just turned to absolute gold.

Baty finished his epic day an impressive 4-for-5 at the plate with an opposite field grand-slam, a solo home run, a walk and a stolen base, four runs and five RBIs. He’s now hitting .500 with a 1.745 OPS through two games for Syracuse. Plus, three of Baty’s four hits boasted exit velocities of 100 mph or more.

The 23-year-old’s sizeable impact wasn’t just felt offensively, either. He made a stunning play in the bottom of the first with two outs, executing an inch-perfect diving catch to end the inning. Defense had been the biggest knock on Baty’s game but, after showing considerable improvement at the hot corner throughout spring training, coupled with his stellar play on Saturday, it is clear the highly-regarded prospect is making rapid progress on that front.

Baty doing it all for Syracuse. A homer earlier and now this web gem! pic.twitter.com/Aht4I9jp6w

— Metsmerized Online (@Metsmerized) April 1, 2023

Having hit .325/.460/.425/.885 with one double, one homer and six RBIs during spring training, there was real disappointment when it was announced Baty would begin the year in Triple-A. After all, he had done everything within his power to earn a spot on the Opening Day roster. He mashed to a very high-level at the plate and also improved every single day in the field, ticking every single box along the way.

But, if Baty can continue this red-hot pace and can continue to absolutely slug while showing sustained improvement at third base, it is fair to suggest that the Mets may have no choice but to call Baty back up to the big leagues sooner rather than later. He’s allowing his play to do the talking for him and, before long, the front office won’t have a choice but to promote the third baseman and give him a real chance in the Majors.

The post Brett Baty Has Monster Game For Syracuse appeared first on Metsmerized.

Via MLB/Team USA

We witnessed quite the classic in the World Baseball Classic on Saturday.

With the United States down to their last six outs in the WBC, Mark DeRosa’s squad found a way to come back after leading by three runs multiple times in the game. Down 7-5 in the top of the eighth, Trea Turner crushed a bases loaded grand slam to left field that ended up giving Team USA a 9-7 victory over previously unbeaten Venezuela at loanDepot Park in Miami.

TVT GRAND SALAMI 💣 pic.twitter.com/VbD5no6E2X

— USA Baseball (@USABaseball) March 19, 2023

Team USA got off to a hot start in the top of the first against Martin Pérez. Mookie Betts led off the game with a base hit and he would come across to score thanks to a bloop single by Mike Trout and a throwing error by Ronald Acuña Jr. Singles by Paul Goldschmidt and Kyle Tucker in the first inning gave the United States a 3-0 lead and ended Perez’s night early (1/3 IP, 3 ER, 5 H, 11 of 16 pitches for strikes).

Venezuela would answer back in the bottom of the inning against Lance Lynn. Jose Altuve had a leadoff single and he came around to score on a two-run home run by Luis Arraez. The current Marlin hit his first home run of the WBC in his now home ballpark to cut the lead to 3-2.

Lynn would hold the Venezuela lineup to just the two-run home run. He went four innings, allowed two runs on four hits, walked a batter, and struck out two on 58 pitches (38 strikes).

In the top of the fifth, with the USA up 4-2 (Betts sac fly in the fourth), Tucker hit a solo home run to right to extend the lead to 5-2. However, the lead would end up disappearing by the end of the inning:

KING TUCK 👑

Kyle Tucker homers off Luis Garcia to give Team USA a 5-2 lead!

📺: WBC on FOX pic.twitter.com/WbwLzg6Jjy

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 19, 2023

Daniel Bard entered the game for Lynn and was unable to record an out. Gleyber Torres drew a walk, Andrés Giménez had an infield single, and Altuve was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Altuve ended up leaving the game with a hand injury. While no official update has been given, it does not sound like good news at all:

Altuve being evaluated for injury to right hand. Astros will provide update tomorrow.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) March 19, 2023

As I just reported on broadcast, initial concern with Jose Altuve is that he has a broken right thumb. Not
confirmed at this point. Astros will provide more information tomorrow.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) March 19, 2023

Bard threw his second of two wild pitches to allow a run to score and would be relieved by Jason Adam. After an Arraez groundout cut the lead to one, Salvador Perez doubled to left to tie the game and then Acuña Jr.’s sacrifice fly put Venezuela up 6-5.

Adam Ottavino came in to pitch in the bottom of the sixth and ended up striking out two batters in a 1-2-3 inning. He got Eugenio Suárez to strike out on a sinker and Torres to strike out on a slider (11 of 15 pitches for strikes).

Team Venezuela would add on another run in the seventh on Arraez’s second home run of the game, this one coming against David Bednar, who ended up recording the win.

That memorable eighth inning started with a Tim Anderson walk, Pete Alonso recording his first hit of the WBC (pinch-hitting for Kyle Schwarber) and a J.T. Realmuto hit-by-pitch against José Quijada. Omar Lopez made the move to go to Silvino Bracho and Turner ended up making him pay with the grand slam.

Devin Williams did not allow a run in the eighth (1 H, 2 K’s) and Ryan Pressly picked up the save with a 1-2-3 ninth to preserve the win for the United States and send them to the semifinals for the second straight year. Eduardo Escobar got a pinch-hit at-bat against Pressly and ended up lining out to first base.

On Deck

It will be a short turnaround for Team USA as they will be back on the field Sunday night. They will be taking on Cuba in the semifinals (7 p.m ET, FS1). Adam Wainwright (1-0, 2.25 ERA) will take the ball for the USA against Roenis Elías (0-0, 2.57 ERA) for Cuba in an atmosphere where the USA might feel like the visiting team. It will be the first meeting between these two teams in the WBC.

Cuba has not played since their 4-3 win over Australia in the quarterfinals on Wednesday in Tokyo, but they are on a three-game win streak after starting the WBC 0-2.

Mexico take on a powerhouse Japan team in the other semifinal on Monday.

The post Trea Turner Grand Slam Sends USA To WBC Semifinals appeared first on Metsmerized.

Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

Good morning, Mets fans!

Mets infielder Eduardo Escobar was taken out of the lineup unexpectedly the other day versus Milwaukee and did not play the final two games of that series as well as the opener vs. Miami. Mike Puma of the New York Post reported that Escobar was taken to the hospital after appearing disoriented in front of teammates. Tim Healey of Newsday confirmed that Escobar did indeed feel unwell and thinks it’s an inner ear issue but says he feels good and anticipates that he will play in this series.

Now onto the morning briefing!

Latest Mets News

Mets infielders Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso bust out the lumber, as the Mets take the opener versus the Miami Marlins, 10-4. Here’s our recap of this blowout win!

Deesha Thosar of the New York Daily News reports that Mets outfielder Travis Jankowski is looking to return from the IL in early June. After an important bone test, he hopes to ramp up baseball activity followed by a rehab assignment.

Anthony DiComo of MLB.com profiles Mets reliever Seth Lugo and his feelings of thankfulness regarding the health of his son, James.

In advance of Father's Day, a story on Seth and James Lugo and a scary situation that has the Lugos thankful for their blessings:https://t.co/gL9M4sNPkP

— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) June 17, 2022

Latest MLB News

The Los Angeles Angels announce that third baseman Anthony Rendon will miss the rest of the 2022 season after undergoing wrist surgery. This will be the second consecutive season Rendon will have a season end with a procedure after injury.

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports that MLB sent out a memo stating that as of June 20th, teams must trim down the number of pitchers on their roster to 13. Initially, the rule was to take effect at the beginning of the 2020 season but has since been pushed back, including extending the deadline twice this season.

The Milwaukee Brewers were the latest team to unveil their Nike City Connect uniform design. The uniform emphasizes the city’s grilling culture and summer skies, along with the People’s Flag of Milwaukee and Lake Michigan.

The Milwaukee Brewers revealed their City Connect uniforms inspired by summer skies, grilling culture and Lake Michigan https://t.co/bCKRjikGPU pic.twitter.com/JLCwW0KFaU

— Joon Lee (@joonlee) June 17, 2022

Latest on MMO

Mathew Brownstein goes into an in-depth retrospective for the 30th anniversary of the classic film “A League of Their Own”

Johnluke Chaparro details the Mets holding strong despite red hot Braves.

On This Date in Mets History

2012: R.A. Dickey threw his second consecutive one-hitter as the Mets beat the Orioles at Citi Field 5-0.The only hit came in the fifth inning off the bat of Wilson Betemit. After the hit, Dickey received a standing ovation from the fans. His game-ending strikeout of first baseman Chris Davis was his 13th of the game, which set a personal best after beating previous mark of 12 the start prior.

Birthdays: Ben Johnson (41), Felix Heredia (47), Sandy Alomar (56), Dave Schneck (74)

Let’s go Mets!

The post Morning Briefing: Eduardo Escobar Okay After Medical Scare appeared first on Metsmerized.

Less than a year ago, the Mets were lucky to score 12 runs in a series. On June 9, 2015, the last time the San Francisco Giants came to Citi Field, unheralded Chris Heston tossed a no-hitter. By April 2016, things had definitely changed. Yoenis Céspedes, a trade deadline acquisition who was the catalyst to the 2015 team and re-signed the past off-season, changed the dynamic of the Mets lineup.

The ability of the offense was maximized on a Friday night at Citi Field — and then some. When Céspedes unleased a laser beam of a home run over the left-field wall for a grand slam off San Francisco reliever Mike Broadway, the 12 runs scored in the third inning set a franchise record. It also ensured two personal milestones for New York’s dynamic outfielder. Céspedes set team records for most RBIs in an inning (six) and consecutive games with an extra-base hit (nine) in a 13-1 New York rout.

Giants starter Jake Peavy breezed through the Mets’ initial two tries at-bat, but then helped initiate the Mets’ opportunity for a big inning by issuing two straight walks — to Curtis Granderson and David Wright. Big inning? More like the biggest inning ever.

Michael Conforto doubled into left-center field for the Mets’ first run. Céspedes began his one-man one-inning destruction with a single to center, driving in Wright and Conforto.

After Lucas Duda walked, Neil Walker continued the trend of extra-base hits with a double that landed just inside the right-field foul pole. It drove in Céspedes and drove Peavy from the game.

New pitcher, same results. Asdrubal Cabrera delivered a double against Broadway. After a walk followed by a strikeout of Steven Matz, the top of the order kept the line moving.

Granderson sent a deep fly ball that was unable to be caught by right fielder Hunter Pence at the wall. It was scored an RBI single as Cabrera scored. Wright walked to fill the bases and Conforto singled to plate Kevin Plawecki. That once again brought up Céspedes. Providing the exclamation point to the scoring dozen, his slam broke Butch Huskey‘s individual record of five RBIs in an inning back on May 26, 1998 and surpassed the team record of 11 established in the sixth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on July 16, 2006.

New York made a return trip to the postseason, capturing an NL Wild Card spot. But so did the Giants. And in a one-game showdown to determine who would move on to the Division Series, New York’s offense was completely shut down by Madison Bumgarner in a 3-0 defeat.

The post OTD 2016: Mets Explode for Record 12-Run Inning Against Giants appeared first on Metsmerized.