On Wednesday, the Mets finished off their seven-game homestand with a bang.

After a Brett Baty two-run homer off of Zack Wheeler, offense was hard to come by as it was knotted at 2-2 going into the eighth. The Mets’ defense continued to keep them in the game, as Juan Soto gunned out Nick Castellanos at the plate in the eighth inning, eventually sending the game into extras. The culmination of the Mets’ perfect homestand would come with a Starling Marte bloop single into center field, scoring Pete Alonso and securing a 4-3 win for New York. For a full game recap, click here!

This win made the Mets 12-1 to start the season at Citi Field, marking their best home record to start a season in team history.

New York has an off day on Thursday as they travel down to D.C. to kick off a four-game set against the Washington Nationals. Kodai Senga, Clay Holmes, Tylor Megill and Griffin Canning are the expected starters for that series. 

Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Latest Mets News

Ryne Stanek raved about the Mets pitching development under this new regime, per David Lennon of Newsday. Stanek said New York’s pitching development is is “as good as anywhere I’ve been.”

Carlos Mendoza told reporters that he expects to reinstate Jeff McNeil and Francisco Alvarez from the 10-day IL on Friday. Click here for more on the two Mets’ expected returns.

Mets traded minor leaguer Rowdey Jordan to the Astros, per Mike Mayer of Metsmerized Online. Jordan was an 11th RD pick in 2021. and has a .683 OPS in the minors.

Mets trainers noticed that one of Edwin Díaz’s legs was longer than the other on Tuesday. They fixed the issue, says Díaz: “I was feeling better after”, per SNY. Edwin left Wednesday’s win with what he labeled as a “hip cramp.” Click here for more on Edwin’s injury.

Latest MLB News

The Atlanta Braves selected RHP Jesse Chavez to the major league roster and transferred INF Nacho Alvarez Jr. to the 60-day injured list. 

The Philadelphia Phillies reinstated INF/OF Weston Wilson from the 10-day IL and in return designated INF/OF Kody Clemens for assignment.

The Chicago Cubs signed Nicky Lopez to a one-year major league contract and transferred LHP Justin Steele to the 60-day IL.

Athletics reliever José Leclerc is going to get a second opinion when the A’s are in Texas next week after going down with a lat strain, per Martín Gallegos of MLB.com. He’s shut down for the time being with no timetable for a return.

Dodgers pitcher Blake Snell “didn’t feel great” after playing catch on Tuesday per Dave Roberts. Snell will be shut down from throwing and might go for more imaging, per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic.

Latest on MMO

Edwin Díaz left Wednesday’s win with a hip cramp.

Jeff McNeil and Francisco Alvarez are expected to return this weekend!

The Mets finish off a perfect homestand!

On This Date in Mets History

2013: Jordany Valdespin hits a walk-off grand slam to give the Mets a 7-3 win over the Dodgers. 

2007: Pinch-hitter Damion Easley ties the Mets at one a piece with the Colorado Rockies in the 10th inning with the club down to their last strike. Endy Chávez would then win the game in the 12t inning with a walk-off drag bunt.

1986: Howard Johnson launches a two-run homer to tie the Mets and Reds in the ninth inning. George Foster then puts the Mets ahead in the 10th with an RBI single. 

1962: Casey Stengel is fined $500 by commissioner Ford Frick for appearing in a Rheingold Beer advertisement while in uniform.

Born on This Date: Tyler Naquin (1991), Carlos Beltrán (1977), Pat Zachry (1952).

The post Morning Briefing: Mets Continued Historic Start at Citi Field appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Good morning, Mets fans!

The Mets’ priority at this stage of free agency continues to be a fourth outfielder and on Friday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported that the Mets are considering signing Tommy Pham for that role. Heyman also mentioned the possibility of Trey Mancini, Adam Duvall, Jurickson Profar, or Tyler Naquin. It was previously reported on Thursday that the Mets had been in contact with Andrew McCutchen, but he wound up signing with the Pirates on a one-year, $5 million deal.

Pham and Duvall especially have had success against lefties, an area in which the Mets struggled last year, so it’s no surprise to hear that the Mets are potentially interested in adding one of their bats to the bench. Even at this stage of free agency, the Mets have plenty of options to choose from for their fourth outfielder next year.

Latest Mets News

Pete Alonso and the Mets agreed to a one-year, $14.5 million contract to avoid arbitration. According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, it is the largest deal ever for a first baseman in arbitration. In total, the Mets settled with six of their seven arbitration-eligible players.

In an article on MLB.com, Jim Callis noted about Brett Baty: “New York should give him its third-base job at some point in 2023 because he’d offer more offense and at least as much defense as 34-year-old incumbent Eduardo Escobar.”

The Mets announced that they are receiving Luis De La Cruz from the Orioles as the PTBNL in the James McCann trade.

The Mets’ organizational managers for 2023 have become official with Dick Scott managing Triple-A Syracuse, Reid Brignac managing Double-A Binghamton, Chris Newell managing High-A Brooklyn, and Gilbert Gómez managing Low-A St. Lucie.

The Mets re-signed Connor Grey to a minor league deal.

Latest MLB News

Juan Soto and the Padres agreed to a one-year, $23 million contract to avoid arbitration.

Lucas Giolito and the White Sox agreed to a one-year, $10.4 million contract to avoid arbitration.

Brandon Woodruff and the Brewers agreed to a one-year, $10.8 million contract to avoid arbitration.

Other notable players who signed contracts to avoid arbitration with their teams include Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Rhys Hoskins, Josh Hader, and Tyler O’Neill.

The Twins signed pitcher Chris Paddack to a three-year, $12.5 million contract extension.

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic interviewed Carlos Correa, asking him about his unprecedented free agency experience.

Latest on MMO

Michael Mayer wrote about the Andrew McCutchen signing, including some other players who make sense for the Mets now that he is off the board.

Michael Mayer also wrote about the Mets’ interest in Tommy Pham.

Michael Famulari analyzed the importance of Brett Baty and Eduardo Escobar to the 2023 Mets in the aftermath of the Carlos Correa deal falling through.

On This Date in Mets History

1998: The Mets signed Japanese pitcher Masato Yoshii to a one-year deal. He would go on to pitch to a 6-8 record with a 3.93 ERA during his debut season, earning a contract extension from the team.

Birthdays: Aaron Altherr (32), Mike Pelfrey (39), Ross Jones (63)

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Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Whether or not the Mets sign Carlos Correa, it’s worth examining what other options are out there that could help improve the team’s depth at the big-league level.

While the elite free agent hitters (besides Correa) are off the board, there are still some potential useful pieces out there that the Mets could sign to to inexpensive or minor-league deals to battle for a spot with say, Darin Ruf and Danny Mendick for a final roster spot.

Here are some interesting names still available in the free agent market that could help improve the Mets bench or at least give them extra depth in Syracuse in case of injuries if they were to sign for minor-league deals.

Luke Voit (1B/DH)

Luke Voit had an up-and-down last two seasons playing for the Yankees, Padres, and Nationals but he did win the MLB home run crown (albeit in a 60-game season) just three years ago. Voit slugged 22 homers last season in 568 PA for San Diego/Washington and does hit from the right side of the plate, so he could work as a possible platoon option with Daniel Vogelbach.

Tyler Naquin (OF)

After being acquired in a trade with the Reds at the deadline last season, Tyler Naquin filled in as the team’s fourth outfielder down the stretch. In 49 games in New York, Naquin hit only .203 with a .636 OPS. However, he proved capable in the outfield and hit .270 with 19 homers in 2021 for Cincinnati. While there are more interesting options out there, Naquin could be a valuable depth piece that could start the year in Syracuse if he doesn’t get any other significant offers.

Robbie Grossman (OF)

If the Mets want to find a veteran outfielder that fits with their high OBP mantra, Robbie Grossman could be a solid buy-low option. Grossman had a bad year last season with the Tigers and Braves, but he posted a .357 OBP in 2021 while drawing 98 walks. He is also a switch hitter and is capable of playing both corner outfield spots. Grossman could be a solid fill-in option should Mark Canha or Starling Marte get injured.

Tommy Pham (OF)

Another potential fill-in outfield option, Tommy Pham isn’t a high-impact player but can still hit for decent power, run the bases well, and play corner outfield when needed. Pham slashed .236/.312/.374 last season split between the Reds and Red Sox and hit 17 home runs with 63 RBIs.

Jonathan Villar (IF)

Jonathan Villar provided a spark for the 2021 Mets, and while his numbers were far from outstanding, he became a bit of a fan favorite in Queens that season. Unfortunately for Villar, last season for the Cubs and Angels went considerably worse for him, as he managed only a .208/.260./.302 slash line.

Still, Villar is a versatile defender with speed who runs the bases aggressively. He also has pop, as evidenced by his 18 homers for the Mets in 2021.

Jesús Aguilar (1B/DH)

Jesús Aguilar is an eccentric personality that would seemingly fit into the Mets clubhouse, and he has a history as a productive offensive player as well.
Aguilar is a former All-Star who slashed a respectable .261/.329/.459 in 2021 to go along with 22 dingers before his production faded last season, leading to his release from the Marlins. Aguilar is still only 32, and has posted five career seasons with an OPS+ over 100. There are certainly worse options out there if the Mets are looking for depth on their bench from the right side.

The post Low-Risk Free Agents That Could Improve Mets’ Depth appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

With the end of the World Series, the off-season quickly commences. As soon as the final out was made Saturday night, 131 players around the MLB became free agents. This included a list of nine New York Mets.

This list is of course headlined by Edwin Díaz and Brandon Nimmo. Díaz, who has established himself as arguably the best closer in all of baseball, is likely to receive the largest deal ever given to a ninth-inning man. Meanwhile, the career-Met, Nimmo, once again turned in a superb season, and will surely be sought out after by many.

Several pieces of the Mets’ 2022 bullpen, outside of Díaz, also comprise the list of nine New York free agents. Further showing why this area of the roster will be closely monitored throughout the off-season. Each of Adam Ottavino, Seth Lugo, Trevor May, Joely Rodríguez, and Tommy Hunter are hitting the open market.

Ottavino and Lugo played vital parts in the bullpen for the Mets this year. Not to mentioned, Lugo has been a Met since he was drafted in the 34th round by the team back in 2011. After rocky starts both May and Rodríguez, each largely settled down and also played key roles at points. Meanwhile, Hunter was shoved into a role after injuries piled up.

Trevor Williams and Tyler Naquin round out the list of New York free agents. Williams played a vital role for the team in 2022, both as a starter and long-man out of the bullpen. After coming over in the Javier Báez trade, he made extremely effective use of his appearances. Naquin, meanwhile, came over at the trade deadline for a couple of prospects. His time with New York can certainly be described as lackluster.

With all that being said, and add in the several other Mets who will have decisions made on their options in the coming days, the New York Mets have several issues to iron out. It will be an extremely important off-season for a team that will largely need to rework both its’ rotation and bullpen. The off-season may just start with evaluating which internal free agents New York wishes to bring back, and which they do not.

The post Nine New York Mets Officially Become Free Agents appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Mets (97-57) was hunting for a much-needed series victory in Oakland against the Athletics (56-97) Sunday evening. With Max Scherzer on the mound, the Mets came through led by an explosive offense and superb pitching. The big blow was Pete Alonso‘s record-setting, two-run home run. At the end of the day, New York emerged victorious, 13-1.

Note, the Braves beat Philadelphia in extra innings to keep the Mets’ division lead at 1.5 games and magic number at eight.

The Mets got the scoring going in the second inning. Tyler Naquin, who got the nod on the day the Mets were facing another left-handed pitcher, came through. He lined a two-out hit to drive in Pete Alonso who reached on an infield single earlier in the inning.

New York added to their lead in the very next inning. Eduardo Escobar, who continues to play his best baseball of the season, lined a two-strike, two-out single with the bases loaded to plate two. Brandon Nimmo and Jeff McNeil walked, while Francisco Lindor singled to set the opportunity up. The Mets were up three after three innings.

For the third-consecutive inning the Mets scored a run. For the second-straight inning it was multiple runs. Lindor, who had just a superb at-bat, blistered a ball that banged off the high left-center field wall. It scored two runs.

Here’s the record-setting hit resulting in the #Mets’ single-season RBI record.

Boy, did he do it in style.

7-0 #Mets, bottom 4. pic.twitter.com/JblJrKrXkU

— Metsmerized Online (@Metsmerized) September 25, 2022

Then, history was made. Pete Alonso, who trailed Mike Piazza and David Wright by one RBI for the Mets’ single-season record, launched a no-doubt, two-run home run. It was a terrific moment for Alonso, who knew as soon as he hit the ball he got the record. Just a superb season once again for the Mets’ power hitter.

Max Scherzer‘s day came to an end after six terrific innings. He only allowed four hits and walked only one. Scherzer struck out seven and in doing so only allowed a single run. His season ERA is now down to a sensational 2.13.

New York piled it on in the eighth inning. They loaded the bases thanks to three singles by Tomas Nido, Brandon Nimmo, and Mark Canha. Francisco Lindor then hit a sharp ground ball to drive in his third run of the game. Then, Alonso continued his mammoth day with a three-run double off the wall. In total, the Mets scored five runs in the inning and owned a 12-1 lead.

The Mets added another in the ninth inning for their 13th run of the game. In total, New York logged 19 hits, five of which were for extra bases. Seven Mets’ tallied at least two hits and three had at least three knocks (Nimmo, Lindor, and Alonso). A terrific offensive performance.

Adam Ottavino, and Drew Smith logged scoreless outings. Meanwhile, Seth Lugo ran into some trouble in the ninth inning but the Mets still won, 13-4.

Player of the Game: Pete Alonso

Who else but the franchise’s new single-season RBI record holder? Alonso had himself a game, and as was mentioned above, included a massive two-run home run that broke the record. Alonso also three other hits and ended the game 4-for-5 with five RBI and three runs scored.

On a historic day for Alonso, he also fulled the box score in others way. In total, Alonso is slashing .270/.349/.519 good for a .868 OPS. He has hit 39 home runs and racked up 128 RBI.

On Deck

The Mets have an off day tomorrow before they welcome the Miami Marlins (63-90) to Citi Field for a short two-game set. The probable starters for game one is Pablo Lopez versus Carlos Carrasco, and game two is Jesus Luzardo versus  Taijuan Walker.

Meanwhile, the Braves play their game in hand on the Mets tomorrow against the Nationals. The pitching matchup is to be announced, though the probable for the Nationals is Cory Abbott. That series with Washington is three games long.

The post Alonso Breaks Mets’ RBI Record In 13-4 Rout Against Athletics appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY

Sunday, September 25, 2022 • 4:07 P.M. EST
RingCentral Coliseum • Oakland, CA
RHP Max Scherzer (10-4, 2.15 ERA) vs. LHP JP Sears (6-2, 3.58 ERA)
WPIX • WCBS 880 AM • ESPN 1050

Well, yesterday was rough one for the New York Mets. Jacob deGrom struggled for the first time in a very long time and the Braves beat the Phillies. The Mets enter play today with the Braves 1.5 games out and with one game in hand.

Mets Lineup

Sunday afternoon ⚾️ #LGM

🆚: Oakland
💪: @Max_Scherzer
📍: Oakland, CA
🕕: 4:07 p.m.
📺: WPIX, @MLBNetwork (out-of-market only)
📻: @wcbs880
🔗: https://t.co/dOatpGTdH8 pic.twitter.com/yDcpCx64sk

— New York Mets (@Mets) September 25, 2022

The Mets’ bats were able to make some noise early in the game yesterday and hopefully they can do that again today. Pete Alonso hit his 38th homer on the year, and now is knocking at the door of setting the Mets’ single-season RBI record.

JP Sears will try to keep the Mets offense in check today. Sears, like yesterday’s starter Waldichuk, was traded from the Yankees to the Athletics at the deadline this year. Sears has pitched in 15 games, making 10 starts throwing 60 1/3 innings this season. He has a 3.58 ERA, 4.45 FIP, 1.260 WHIP and a 107 ERA+. As an Athletic, he has made eight starts tossing 38 1/3 innings with a 4.46 ERA, 5.20 FIP, 1.487 WHIP and a 85 ERA+.

Sears is coming off of a good start against the Mariners where he held them to one unearned run from one hit over five innings of work. In his two previous starts he allowed 11 earned runs from 15 hits over six innings. The only person on the Mets’ roster who has seen Sears in a major league game is Tyler Naquin, who is 0-for-2 against him.

Athletics Lineup

Sears Sunday

⚾: 1:07pm PT vs. Mets
📺: NBCSCA, MLBN
📻: Bloomberg 960 AM, KIQI 1010 AM
🎧: https://t.co/M834H8aCde
📲: https://t.co/sssl73rFGn
Starting pitcher: Sears pic.twitter.com/9zrg2in4cJ

— Oakland A's (@Athletics) September 25, 2022

Luckily for New York, they do have Max Scherzer on the mound today. Over 21 starts and 133 2/3 innings this year, Scherzer has a 2.15 ERA, 2.42 FIP, 0.883 WHIP and a 180 ERA+. Over his last three starts, he has allowed two runs via seven hits and two walks in 18 innings of work while striking out an absurd 25 batters (1.00 ERA, 1.56 FIP).

Following the trend for basically every pitcher this weekend, Scherzer has not faced many members of this Athletics squad. Stephen Vogt is 1-for-6 with a strikeout against him and Cristian Pache is 0-for-2 with a strikeout. Scherzer is a mystery to everyone else.

Games Notes

The Mets are 17-4 (.810) in rubber games this year. The 17 wins in such games are tied for the most in franchise history with the 1999 squad (17-7). New York certainly needs a rubber-game win this afternoon.

Francisco Lindor has recorded a career-high 100 RBI this season. His 100 RBI are a franchise record for a shortstop.

Max Scherzer is the all-time leader in Interleague strikeouts with 437 in 50 starts.

The post MMO Game Thread: Mets vs. Athletics, 4:07 P.M. appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

The Mets clinched a playoff berth with a 7-2 win on the road over the Brewers a year after Milwaukee celebrated the same against New York at American Family Field.

With a lot of owner Steve Cohen’s well-spent cash, the Mets extend their season for the first time since 2016, doing it in style with the brown-and-blue-eyed Max Scherzer’s perfect for a six-inning outing and Pete Alonso’s three-run blast.

A day after their four-game sweep against the Pittsburgh Pirates, the fellas from Flushing reigned over a non-pushover team going 5-0 since being humiliated 0-3 against the hapless Chicago Cubs.

Since dishing out Daniel Vogelbach, who I stated would not be one of three Mets to help save their sinking ship, the designated hitter has contributed in every game making me eat my words, which I’ve been glad to oblige.

Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

In the top of the sixth, after back-to-back triples by Brandon Nimmo and Francisco Lindor, Vogelbach put another nail in the Brewers’ coffin with an RBI double to center to expand the Mets’ lead 5-0.

After reliever Tylor Megill took the mound from his perfect predecessor in the bottom of the seventh, Milwaukee trimmed the Mets lead by three off of Rowdy Tellez’s two-run shot to center.

But in the top of the eighth, Tyler Naquin Tomás Nido regained the pair of runs off of a couple of singles, gifted walks and throwing errors.

Seth Lugo and Adam Ottavino continued their successful tandem innings scattering a single and insignificant double before closing out the show by punching out Hunter Renfroe and Tellez on 82 mph sliders.

As exciting as it is to know that the Mets are back in the playoff business, there’s still plenty of work to be done with the Braves breathing down their neck for the NL East in the final stretch of the regular season.

Sep 19, 2022; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso (20) celebrates after the Mets clinched a playoff spot by beating the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

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Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Chris Bassitt had an ugly outing Monday night, but the resilient righty, who’s had a big hand in the team being atop the NL East has been nothing but a breath of fresh air in manager Buck Showalter‘s starting line-up.

Up until tonight’s game, the Mets had won each of Bassitt’s last eight starts. He was 4-0 in August with a 1.65 ERA – never giving up a long ball the entire month. Chalk it up to him having a bad day at the office. Who hasn’t?

Position players had a tough time, as well, stranding 10 runners against rookie right-hander Javier Assad – twice with the bases loaded. Mark Canha left the bags full in the first, striking out on four pitches while looking at the last three. It’s times like these I wish the Mets could’ve transferred some runs from their last two games, like college students taking their credits when leaving one college for another.

The Cubs drew first blood off of Bassitt in the top of the second. After retiring Ian Happ and Patrick Wisdom on fly balls to center, Bassitt lost Rafael Ortega on a 0-2 count, sending the former Oakland Athletics’ 80 mph slider into the right field seats.

New York was much ado about nothing in the bottom frame. Assad erased Eduardo Escobar on a fly ball to center, fanned Tyler Naquin with his 85 MPH curve and shut the door on James McCann with a fly out to right on a 92 MPH sinker.

Bassitt gave leadoff hitter Alfonso Rivas a free pass after a 0-2 count, struck out Christopher Morel on three pitches – then surrendered a two-run homer to Zach McKinstry to put himself in a 3-0 hole.

The bottom of the third was much like the second, albeit a walk that went nowhere.

In the top of the fourth, the wheels came off with another leadoff walk to Happ, an errant pickoff attempt by Pete Alonso, that put Happ in scoring position, which he later achieved after landing on third on a groundout, and crossing the plate on Ortega’s RBI single to left. P.J. Higgins moved Ortega to second who crossed the plate for the Cub’s fifth run on Riva’s single to left center.

Assad’s only sign of weakness came in the bottom of the inning when Canha and Escobar reached base on back-to-back singles and James McCann, sandwiched between strikeouts to Naquin and Brandon Nimmo, drove in the first of the Mets two runs.

Tommy Hunter came in relief of Bassitt in the top of the fifth keeping the Cubs at bay, retiring the side in order. Assad followed suit against the Mets.

In the top of the sixth, Trevor May took the baton from Hunter and fanned two out of three with a series of change ups four-seam fastballs and sliders.

With two away in the bottom of the inning, Escobar threatened with triple to deep center, only to be left out to dry when Naquin struck out swinging.

Mychal Givens was another bright spot in relief for the Mets in the seventh, striking out the side on 10 pitches.

Mark Leiter, Jr., former Met Al Leiter’s nephew, stepped in for Assad and did his uncle proud with a 1-2-3 outing – striking out Francisco Lindor on three straight pitches in the process.

Givens kept the Mets in the game the hard way, allowing a pair of singles to start off the eighth, but after Franmil Reyes went down swinging, Seiya Suzuki was caught stealing and Happ, who then walked, remained at second when Wisdom whiffed on a 96 mph four-seamer.

The Mets had a monumental chance in the bottom of the inning to do some serious damage when they loaded the bases with no outs. Jeff McNeil managed an infield single, Alonso banged a base hit to shallow left, Daniel Vogelbach drew a walk and Canha, who crushed his first grand slam two days prior, looking to redeem himself for leaving them loaded in the first, struck out swinging on an 87 mph slider.

With two more attempts to make a dent, Escobar flied out on a 0-2 pitch to center and Darin Ruf, having a rough time at the plate, lined out to right.

Joely Rodriguez matched his fellow relievers in the top of the ninth striking out two of the 6, 7 and 8 hitters, and for the Mets last licks – it was too little too late with two outs when Lindor hit a solo shot to right center – ending on McNeil’s groundout to second.

The good news? Atlanta fell to San Francisco and tonight, Jacob deGrom is on the mound.

The post Chris Bassitt, Bats Struggle in Series Opener vs. Cubs appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

A day after being humiliated by the bottom dwelling Bucs, The Mets took two in the Keystone State to regain their slim lead over the Braves in the NL East.

Coming off a three-game skid, Ohio born Chris Bassitt stopped the bleeding in Game 1 with a masterful seven innings of one run ball along with 10 strikeouts and a walk. Brandon Nimmo and Pete Alonso, skipper Buck Showalter’s line-up experiment, batting second, started things off with an infield single and double to left, eking out a sole run off of Jeff McNeil’s sac fly.

New York broke it open in the fourth when Daniel Vogelbach, who donned a Pirates uniform in July, singled to center, Mark Canha got plunked by opposing pitcher Bryse Wilson, and Tyler Naquin, filling in nicely for injured teammate Starling Marte, launched a four-seam fastball to center – followed by Eduardo Escobar’s solo rocket to right to take a commanding 5-0 lead.

The Pirates bloated ERA laden pitching staff quieted the Mets for the remainder of the game, but the damage was done and a sigh of relief was felt all the way from the North Shore of Pittsburg to the Borough of Queens.

In the nightcap, Jacob deGrom bested Bassitt with seven magnificent frames of shutout ball surrendering three hits, striking out eight and allowing one free pass. And for a pleasant change of pace, the high heat right-hander was gifted a rare abundance of offense – a cushion of nine runs before handing it over to the bullpen.

Francisco Lindor, who’s flailed of late at the plate, got reacquainted with his lumber, delivering a pair of doubles in the second and fourth for a three RBI night.

Escobar had a banner day going 4-for-5, McNeil 3-for-5 maintaining a .318 average, Alonso 2-for-4, Naquin 3-for-5 -every NY position player contributed to the scoreboard via walks, wild pitches, and just damn good timely hitting. The Mets may have left 13 on base, but 10 made it home outscoring the Bucs a combined 15-1.

Adam Ottavino and Alex Claudio – the two Shakespearean sounding relievers kept the shut out intact in the eighth and ninth with a bevvy of sliders, changeups and curves.

So for now, the boys of Flushing are back. Except for the Braves and Brewers the rest of the season appears like a piece of cake – however, as we saw with the Nats and the Bucs first game of this series, that’s only on paper.

The post Mets Sweep Pirates in a Dandy Doubleheader appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Starling Marte was forced to leave in the early innings of the Mets’ series opener against the Pirates in Pittsburgh at PNC Arena on Tuesday.

The veteran outfielder took a 96 mph fastball from Mitch Keller to the hand in the first inning. Following consultation with manager Buck Showalter and trainer Joe Golia, Marte stayed in the game. However, he left the game just an inning and a half later after appearing to be in some discomfort.

Tyler Naquin shifted over to right field, and the Mets will have to hope that it is nothing serious because losing Marte for any length of time would be a crushing blow at this stage of the season. Marte is slashing .292/.345/.468 with 16 home runs, 24 doubles, 5 triples, 18 stolen bases, 63 RBI and an .813 OPS.

We will wait to find out more about Marte’s status after the game.

Interestingly, highly-regarded prospect Mark Vientos was scratched from the Syracuse Mets lineup on Tuesday. Should Marte have to make a trip to the IL, then it could mean a long-awaited call-up for Vientos who has been mashing in the minors. Through 98 games in Triple-A, he is slashing .280/.357/.518/.875 with 23 home runs and 71 RBI.

Update: Joel Sherman says Vientos was scratched due to headaches, not because of an imminent call up.

The post Starling Marte Exits Game After Being Hit by Pitch appeared first on Metsmerized Online.