Max Muncy, who is always a thorn in the Mets’ side, was responsible for sending the game into extra innings with a no-doubt home run leading off the ninth. It was his second long ball of the night, his first putting the Dodgers ahead 4-1 in the first inning.

Despite the early deficit, the Mets got the scoring started in this one with Pete Alonso recording an RBI single in the first inning off Kershaw. The lead was short-lived, however, as the score was even just three batters into the bottom of the inning. A Shohei Ohtani strikeout was followed by a Mookie Betts single and a Freddie Freeman double, which scored Betts.

Tylor Megill‘s troubles were beginning as he allowed the Dodgers to take the lead on a ground ball fielder’s choice and a two-run home run off the bat of Muncy. The Mets found themselves in an immediate 4-1 hole.

Megill settled in to deliver a gutsy performance, getting through six innings without allowing another run. He totaled 105 pitches and struck out seven while retiring 16 of his final 17 batters. Megill allowed the Mets to get back in the game, and they took full advantage.

After Kershaw walked two but didn’t allow a run in the second, Juan Soto added to the Mets’ score with a two-run shot to right field. The home run was Soto’s 11th of the year and his third in the last four games to bring the Mets within a run.

Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

The Mets were then silenced in a 1-2-3 fourth inning, but they did enough damage in the fifth to cut Kershaw’s night short. A Francisco Lindor walk and a Max Muncy error opened the door for Pete Alonso and Brandon Nimmo to tack on two more runs with a double from Alonso and an infield single that Nimmo barely beat out. Kershaw was subsequently removed from the game, leaving with the Mets ahead 5-4.

The first man tasked with keeping the Mets lead intact was Brandon Waddell, who was just called up to the major league team earlier in the day. His appearance in Tuesday’s game was far less eventful than his previous five-inning, 94-pitch outing on May 28, as he allowed just a walk in a relatively easy inning to turn the game over to the eighth.

Reed Garrett found himself in immediate trouble in the eighth inning with runners on second and third and no outs as a result of an Ohtani walk, a Betts single, and a passed ball. Garrett then made his best Houdini impression by, somehow, getting out of the inning without allowing a run. He got a much-needed strikeout of Freddie Freeman before Teoscar Hernández grounded to third base, which got Ohtani stuck in a rundown. Will Smith then struck out to end the inning, giving Reed Garrett his best moment in a season full of great pitching.

With two great innings out of the bullpen, the Mets failed to add any insurance runs, and it cost them. Huascar Brazobán, going for the save in place of Edwin Díaz, who was unavailable, immediately surrendered the lead in the ninth with Muncy’s second home run of the night. Brazobán recovered to strike out the next three batters, but the damage was done.

The Mets went down 1-2-3 in the top of the 10th, which was a death sentence considering the Dodgers had the top of their order coming up. After Shohei Ohtani was walked intentionally, Mookie Betts lined out to left, but Freddie Freeman put an end to the game by sending a ball to the left field wall. It could have and should have been caught, but Brandon Nimmo misplayed it, which allowed the winning run to score.

The loss snaps the Mets’ four-game win streak and puts them at 38-23 on the season.

Stat of the Game: Megill Missing Bats

Tylor Megill generated 18 swings and misses in Tuesday’s win, tying a career-high. Even with his recent struggles, Megill has done a fantastic job of getting opposing batters to whiff at his pitches. He has 23 strikeouts in 16 1/3 innings over his last three starts.

Player of the Game: Juan Soto

Juan Soto is heating up. He has three home runs in his last four games and an extra-base hit in each of the last five games. His two-run homer was the difference in this game, with the Mets winning by just a run.

On Deck

The Mets will play the third of their four-game series against the Dodgers Wednesday night, with first pitch scheduled for 10:10 p.m. ET. Griffin Canning (5-2, 3.23 ERA) will be looking to bounce back after a rough start, while Tony Gonsolin (3-1, 5.23 ERA) will try to get his season on track. The game will air on SNY and MLB Network.

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The Mets’ offense was nonexistent for the majority of the game against Adrian Houser, who was, in nice terms, not great for the Mets last year with a 5.84 ERA and a midseason DFA. He was dominant in Monday’s game, though, as he retired 16 consecutive batters without allowing much, if any, hard contact after a first inning double to Brandon Nimmo. His next baserunner came with two outs in the sixth inning when Francisco Lindor singled through the right side of the infield. Lindor was erased after Nimmo proceeded to strike out to end the inning.

Clay Holmes, meanwhile, did his best to keep the Mets in the game. He allowed just one run in 5 2/3 innings, the run occurring on a sacrifice fly in the fourth. Holmes pitched into the sixth inning, though he exited the game with two outs and the bases loaded after a pair of infield singles and a walk, all occurring with two outs. José Buttó came into the game and got the crucial final out of the inning, a massive one considering Buttó’s struggles with inherited runners this year.

Clay Holmes, Nasty 94mph Sinker. 😨 pic.twitter.com/Go832QCkNL

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 26, 2025

The game remained 1-0 in favor of the White Sox into the seventh inning, when Houser experienced his first moment of vulnerability by walking Juan Soto and allowing a Pete Alonso single with no outs. That knocked Houser out of the game, bringing in the rookie lefty Brandon Eisert. A pair of fielder’s choices and a walk brought Jeff McNeil to the plate in the Mets’ best scoring chance yet with the bases loaded and two outs, but McNeil struck out looking at a borderline strike to end the inning and ensure Houser an outing of six innings and no runs allowed.

After failing to score in the seventh, the Mets got another chance to threaten in the eighth after Francisco Alvarez led off the inning with a base hit. Luisangel Acuña pinch ran and advanced to third base on a one-out single from Brandon Nimmo. That brought up Juan Soto in a massive spot, and Soto delivered with a sacrifice fly to get the Mets on the board and tie the game. The Mets subsequently loaded the bases with Brett Baty up at the plate, but he flew out to keep the game tied.

Edwin Díaz worked around a two-out walk in the ninth inning to send the game to the bottom of the inning, giving the Mets a chance to walk off a game that seemed for the longest time like it would be a devastating loss. Tyrone Taylor led off the inning with a booming double in the left-center field gap before Jeff McNeil was intentionally walked. Luis Torrens tried to bunt at first but swung away at the second pitch and singled into left field to load the bases with no outs.

That brought Francisco Lindor to the plate, and he skied one into right field deep enough to bring home Tyrone Taylor and secure the victory. Lindor’s walk-off RBI was already his third of the season, giving the Mets an unlikely win for their third in a row.

Stat of the Game: A New Career High for Holmes

With his outing in Monday’s game, Clay Holmes threw 102 pitches, a new high mark for his career. Holmes has obviously been a reliever for most of it, but he began his career as a starter with the Pirates. He has now pitched at least 5 2/3 innings in each of his last five outings and at least five innings in each of his last nine.

Player of the Game: Francisco Lindor

Lindor didn’t have his best game, going 1-for-4, but his sacrifice fly was the at-bat to seal the deal. Lindor has proven more than once this year that he’s the man you want at the plate in a walk-off situation, and he proved that right again when he won Monday’s game for the Mets.

On Deck

The Mets’ series with the White Sox continues Tuesday, with the first pitch scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET. Tylor Megill (3-4, 3.56 ERA) will try to build off his previous solid start against the Red Sox, while Shane Smith (1-3, 2.36 ERA), who has been great this year, will go for Chicago. The game will air on SNY.

The post Mets Pull Out Gritty Walk-Off Win Over White Sox appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

When it began in 1997, it was more than just a novelty. City bragging rights were on the line, and the stakes were heightened further when the teams met in the World Series just a few years later. The energy is almost always electric, and this weekend is certainly no exception, providing another chance to etch new moments into Subway Series history.

June 16, 1997

The inaugural regular-season meeting turned into Dave Mlicki‘s finest hour.

The 29-year-old started this historic meeting and proceeded to become the only Met to throw a shutout at Yankee Stadium—current or previous. Although he allowed nine hits and two walks over 119 pitches and managed to record a 1-2-3 inning just once, he struck out eight and avoided trouble.

Bernard Gilkey scored three times, with his initial run coming on a John Olerud first-inning double off Andy Pettitte as the Mets jumped out to a 3-0 lead. They added two more on Olerud’s seventh-inning single and another on Gilkey’s ninth-inning sac fly. The Yankees had more traffic on the bases in the ninth, but despite three singles, Mlicki preserved his scoreless effort—striking out Derek Jeter to finish off the 5-0 victory.

July 10, 1999

Mariano Rivera and the Yankees had won 124 straight times after taking a lead into the eighth. That wasn’t going to stop the Mets, even if they had to overcome six home runs.

A Mike Piazza 482-foot moon shot in the seventh was countered by the power of Yankee bats.

Down to their final out and behind by a run, Matt Franco helped defy the odds. His bases-loaded single to right field brought in Rickey Henderson and Edgardo Alfonso to put an exclamation point on a 9-8 win that remains arguably the best Mets victory of the Subway Series era.

June 27, 2008

Carlos Delgado came out of a slump in historic fashion by setting the Mets’ single-game record for RBIs in a 15-9 rout. This was the opener of a cross-town, two-stadium doubleheader, but Delgado helped make Yankee Stadium feel like Shea. With the score tied at four, Delgado drove in two with a fifth-inning double into the right field corner. His next opportunity came in the sixth with the bases loaded. One swing turned a relatively close game into a blowout on a no-doubt grand slam to right center.

His 443rd career homer put him ahead of Dave Kingman on the all-time list, the same man who previously held the single-game franchise mark for RBIs. The contest was 12-5 in the eighth, but Delgado didn’t ease up. Locking in on a LaTroy Hawkins pitch, he rocketed it into the right field stands that were now half-empty, and many of those who remained were happy.

June 12, 2009

You know the Subway Series has weight when a regular season loss still stings. I needed a drink just to help while researching on Baseball Reference. For those who saw it, I’m sorry. For those actually at Yankee Stadium, I’m really sorry. For those who were lucky to miss it, don’t watch. Here it is in excruciating detail.

The Yankees trailed by one and were down to their last out with runners on first and second as Francisco Rodríguez graced the mound. Alex Rodriguez popped it up in the vicinity of second baseman Luis Castillo, who drifted to his left for an easy game-ending catch … not.

It clanked off the heel of his glove. Jeter scored, as did Mark Teixeira. Yankees 9, Mets 8. The career of Castillo, as well as the ’09 season, never recovered.

May 28, 2013

Matt Harvey continued his stellar first full season with ten strikeouts and one run allowed, but encountered tough luck.

Hiroki Kuroda’s seven shutout innings, followed by David Robertson’s easy eighth, made Harvey prime for a loss. That Yankee lead disappeared after a rare spurt of Amazin’ offense, however. The Mets honored Rivera in his farewell season by having him toss out the series finale’s honorary first pitch. He also threw the last pitch—but this time, the only ceremony was to initiate a Mets win.

He came back onto the Citi Field mound with the Yanks up 1–0 in the ninth. When he left, the Yankees had lost 2-1 and Rivera didn’t record an out. Three straight hits by Daniel Murphy, Wright and Lucas Duda engineered the game-ending rally.

September 12, 2021

This game rekindled the tension and combativeness of the Subway Series. The Mets opened the three-game set with a 10-run outburst, followed the next night by an emotional 8-7 Yankees victory on the 20th anniversary of 9/11. Then came the finale: also known as Francisco Lindor‘s first signature Mets moment.

For all his struggles during his initial season in Queens, this night was a turning point. His home run in the second turned a 2-1 deficit into a 4-2 lead. His next long ball in the sixth increased the Met lead to two. After exchanging words with the opposition (with support from Javy Báez) an inning later, Lindor backed up the talk with more action: a tie-breaking blast to deep right field that put his team in front for good in the eighth.

June 25-26 & July 23-24, 2024

The Yankees hold a 84-67 advantage dating back to ’97. The Mets, however, have had the edge of late, including last season’s four-game sweep. Outscoring them 36-14 and hitting 13 homers, it was just the second time the orange and blue went unbeaten against the Bombers in a single season.

How well did it go for the Mets? Lefty reliever Jake Diekman, sporting an ERA of 5.63, was given the chance to face Aaron Judge in the ninth inning of a 3-2 game…and struck him out. Just like we all thought he would.

The finale was a Mets party in the Bronx: a 12-3 victory at Yankee Stadium in which Gerrit Cole was inefficient for the second time on the year while Lindor hit two homers and drove in five.

The post Big Apple Battles: Greatest Subway Series Moments appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

The Mets (13-7) defeated the Cardinals (9-11) 5-4 on Friday night and they did it in style, with Francisco Lindor crushing a walk-off bomb in the bottom of the ninth inning. Not only did his home run electrify the home crowd and give the team a win, but it also put Lindor in some elite company.

The home run, which was Lindor’s 250th of his career, made him just the fifth primary shortstop (60% of time at the position) to reach that plateau. He joins Cal Ripken Jr., Miguel Tejada, Hanley Ramirez, and Derek Jeter as Lindor continues to cement himself as one of the game’s great shortstops.

Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Latest Mets News

Francisco Alvarez continued his rehab assignment with the Binghamton Rumble Ponies on Friday. He caught the entire game while batting second, going 0-for-5 and scoring a run as he continues to make his way back to the big leagues.

Latest MLB News

Per ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the Rays are calling up top prospect Chandler Simpson. Saying Simpson has elite speed might be an understatement, as the outfielder stole 104 bases in 110 games last year and has eight in 17 games this year in addition to a batting average above .300.

Jazz Chisholm Jr. received a one-game suspension and a fine after criticizing an umpire on social media during the game for a strike-three call on Thursday against the Rays. Chisholm played on Friday as he appeals his suspension.

Per Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, Shohei Ohtani is going on the paternity list with the birth of his first child expected soon.

Former Mets reliever Brooks Raley threw a bullpen session in Arlington, Texas for interested teams on Friday, with at least a dozen in attendance.

Latest on MMO

Kai Chang recaps the stellar outing from Griffin Canning in Thursday’s win over the Cardinals.

Christian De Block highlights the recent performance of A.J. Minter out of the bullpen.

On This Date in Mets History

1964: The Mets won their first ever game at Shea Stadium, which would serve as the team’s home for the next 44 seasons. It was a 6-0 win over the Pirates with Al Jackson throwing a complete game shutout.

Born on This Date: Tyler Jay (1994), Ambiorix Burgos (1984), Brent Mayne (1968), Frank Viola (1960).

The post Morning Briefing: Lindor Becomes Fifth Shortstop to Hit 250 Homers appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Mark Vientos. Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

Pre-Grimace Era

3. The Lindor Flu Game

Before this September, Francisco Lindor‘s presence in the lineup was an everyday occurrence. After exiting early on May 1 with flu-like symptoms, Lindor was not a starter for the next afternoon’s game at Citi Field versus the Cubs. But he was the finisher. He entered as a pinch-hitter in the sixth and delivered a two-run double. Then in the bottom of the 11th, down by a run with men on first and second, he went the other way with an extra-base hit down the left-field line. Brett Baty and Harrison Bader scored easily. Even if Lindor was still feeling bad, he made Mets fans feel great. Four RBIs and a walk off isn’t bad for an off day.

2. Mark Vientos Maximizes His Opportunity

He made the most of his time in the majors—even when it was just for a few days. Mark Vientos‘ brief stint in the bigs while filling in for Starling Marte might have had tremendous long-term effects. He hit a walk-off two-run home run in the bottom of the 11th as the Mets avoided a sweep against the Cardinals on April 28. About 48 hours later, he was sent back to Triple-A. It would be less than three weeks before Vientos got the call-up again. It was an opportunity he never let go.

1. Torrens Saves the Day in London

A two-game series in the UK was on the brink of a two-game Phillies sweep before Luis Torrens made a play that was both intelligent and physically impressive. The Mets had rallied to take the lead with three in the top of the ninth and held a 6-5 edge with the bases loaded and one out for Philly. Nick Castellanos hit a weak grounder in front of home. Torrens picked it up, then stepped back and touched the plate. He heaved it to first just before Garrett Stubbs slid in and knocked him over. Pete Alonso handled the throw in time to complete the first-ever game-ending  2-3 ground-ball double play.

Walk-off Home Runs

3. Francisco Alvarez vs. Orioles (August 19)

The young catcher endured a tough year full of injuries and slumps. So when he connected off of Baltimore’s Seranthony Domínguez, Francisco Alvarez savored it. He was given the green light a 3-0 count in a tie game. What followed was a no-doubter to center field, estimated at 421 feet. Alvarez didn’t waste time to celebrate as Citi Field went wild.

2. Mark Vientos vs. Reds (September 6)

Now established as the Mets third baseman, Vientos was on his way to a 111-game performance highlighted by 27 home runs and an .838 OPS. Perhaps the best highlight in this regular season full of them came as New York extended its win streak to eight. He started the Mets scoring with a two-run shot in the first and ended it with a two-run shot in the tenth. The latter was a low and inside pitch that he golfed over the left-field wall. The Mets won a big game…and Vientos lost his shirt.

1. Jesse Winker vs. Orioles (August 21)

Two days after Alvarez’s dramatics, the veteran who had been a friendly pest to Mets fans throughout his career unofficially became a true member of the orange and blue. Winker’s first home run as a Met came at the perfect time. Domínguez was the victim again. This homer went nearly to the same spot as Alvarez. And like his teammate, Winker showed his emotions once it was official—stopping to slam his helmet before rounding the bases in full flow.

Pitching Performances

3. Jake Diekman Owns Aaron Judge

Admit it. The left-hander in the midst of a terrible season pitching to Yankees’ slugger in the bottom of the ninth with a runner on and a one-run lead had all the makings of a Yankees walk-off. Everyone thought it—except maybe Carlos Mendoza. With a depleted bullpen and Edwin Díaz unavailable, the call went to a man with a 5.28 ERA to get the save. Diekman got Judge to strike out looking with a 96 mile per hour fastball on the inside corner. He then retired Ben Rice to preserve the Mets victory. Diekman was DFA’d two days later.

2. Sean Manaea‘s Development

After observing the Braves Chris Sale, Manaea lowered his arm slot to mimic the fellow southpaw and possible Cy Young winner in the NL. From July 30 on, he struck out 83 over 75.2 innings as the Mets won 10 of his 12 appearances. Not only was he missing more bats, but he was providing length. He went into the seventh inning 10 times and posted nine quality starts. He didn’t allow an earned run against the Twins, Cardinals, and White Sox while unofficially garnering ace status. Manaea was one example of the remarkable performance of the entire the rotation down the stretch—posting a 2.67 ERA in September.

1. Severino Blanks Marlins

The right-hander wanted it. The Citi Field crowd wanted it. Complete-game shutouts are rare these days. The atmosphere on this Saturday afternoon on August 17 reflected that into the ninth inning. Luis Severino was carrying his scoreless effort against the Marlins, but hit Jake Burger with his first pitch. Mendoza went to visit with his starter and, after a brief conference, left him in to try and finish it. Severino retired the next three batters to preserve a four-hitter. His 113th and final offering got Derek Hill to swing at strike three.

Miscellaneous OMGs

3. Pop Star Second Baseman

While Grimace was the mascot of the Mets’ revival, “OMG” was the anthem. Jose Iglesias signing a minor-league contract on December 5 went, as expected, unnoticed. He arrived to the Mets on May 31. His insertion was one of many catalysts to New York’s charge—slashing .337/.381/.448  and ending the regular season with a 22-game hitting streak. Oh, and the singing career isn’t bad either. His song blared each home at-bat, fans recited every lyric, a sign with the title letters was carried in the dugout and showed up among the crowd. And after a June 28 win over Houston, giving the Mets their 16th victory in the turnaround month of June, Iglesias transformed into “Candelita” and performed it live on the field.

2. Lindor Homers to End No-No

He did what MVPs are known to do. For much of this September afternoon game in Toronto, the Mets offense was lifeless…and hitless. Blue Jays starter Bowden Francis cruised through eight with a 1-0 lead. Lindor led off the ninth, fell behind 0-2, and proceeded to end the no-hitter and the shutout all at once. The homer to right field was the wake-up call they needed. New York went on to score five more in the frame and win the game.

1. Exorcizing the Demons in Atlanta

The blast against the Blue Jays was Lindor’s biggest home run for less than three weeks. Entering the doubleheader of make-up games at Truist Park to conclude the regular season, both the Mets and Braves needed one win for a playoff berth. Everything was pointing to a do-or-die finale when New York was down 3-0 through seven. But the Mets’ resilience showed in the eighth. The six runs scored were an afterthought as Edwin Díaz gave the lead back. Mets fans’ thoughts went to another nightmare in Atlanta. New York’s shortstop and face of the franchise dispelled all negativity with one swing of the bat. Credit to Starling Marte for getting on ahead of Lindor’s heroics. Edwin Diaz redeemed himself in the bottom of the ninth and the Mets put champagne on ice.

Postseason Heroics

T3. Still on the Mark

The playoff stage really had an effect on Mark Vientos—because it made him better. It was exciting enough that he had a great regular season. But Vientos became a star in October. He slashed .327/.362/.636 with a .998 OPS, five home runs over 13 games and his 14 RBIs set a new Mets postseason record. Four were collected on one plate appearance against the Dodgers in Game 2 of the NLCS, when he finished a terrific at-bat with a second-inning grand slam.

T3. Masterful Manaea

The culmination of his second half adjustment came in the Division Series with Philadelphia. After splitting the first two games and hoping to finish it at home, Manaea made sure the Mets would have the edge. He honored his late aunt with a brilliant outing of one run on three hits and two walks with six strikeouts over seven against a potent Philly lineup. Leading 2-0, he escaped a sixth-inning jam with two on and none out by fanning Bryce Harper and getting Nick Castellanos to hit into a line-drive double play. New York would soon break it open to get one step closer to the NLCS.

2. Grand-cisco Lindor

Citi Field had never seen a Mets clinching celebration. Game 4 versus Philly was that opportunity, but the offense was squandering their chances to score. Down 1-0 in the sixth, New York loaded the bases for the third time. With one out, the Mets needed someone to step up. Lindor had been the one to do it most frequently in 2024. So why not now? The 2-1 pitch was sent out and into the bullpen. It was the kind of situation he was brought to Queens for. He circled the bases like he expected it to happen. Surrounding him was the loudest cheer this 15-year stadium had ever experienced. Three innings later, after a 4-1 win, it got to host the party fans had long been waiting for.

1. Pete Alonso Saves the Season

It may have been the best moment of 2024. It certainly was the best moment of Alonso’s career. On a night when he tripped over his own bat, dropped a pop up, and prolonged his struggles at the plate, the Mets’ first baseman erased all those bad memories—and so much more—when he came up with two runners on and his team down two with two outs left in New York’s season. Alonso has 226 regular season home runs as a Met. There might not be another, depending on how free agency goes. Regardless, he earned a special place in team history with his top-of-the-ninth drive over the right-field wall in Milwaukee.

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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 Online.

BOX SCORE

The Syracuse Mets concluded their season in walk-off fashion, defeating the Charlotte Knights 5-4 in 10 innings. With their win, Syracuse finished the 2024 season with a 78-71 record, a disappointing mark given their first-half successes. However, it’s a vast improvement from their 61-85 record in 2023.

• 2B Brett Baty: 0-for-3, RBI (45), BB (.853 OPS)
• DH Luke Ritter: 0-for-4, R, RBI (93), BB, 2 K (.849 OPS)
• 1B JT Schwartz: 1-for-4, HR (5), R, 3 RBI (22) (.668 OPS)
• 3B Wyatt Young: 2-for-4, K, SB (1) (.672 OPS)

The Mets’ game-winning at-bat came in the 10th inning on a weak dribbler from Luke Ritter. Drew Gilbert scored on the play, securing the victory to end the season on a high. The Knights sent Syracuse to extras when they tied the game in the ninth after entering the inning down 5-3.

• RHP Mike Vasil: 4 IP, 2 R (1 ER), 6 H, 2 BB, 2 K (6.04 ERA)
• RHP Tyler Zuber: 1 IP, 0 ER, H, BB, K (6.69 ERA)
• LHP Matt Gage (H, 3): 1 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 0 BB, K (3.92 ERA)
• RHP Shintaro Fujinami (H, 7): 1 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 0 BB, 2 K (6.68 ERA)
• RHP Max Kranick (H, 5): 1 IP, 0 ER, H, 0 BB, 0 K (3.57 ERA)
• RHP Luis Moreno (H, 1): 1/3 IP, 2 R (0 ER), H, BB, 0 K (13.50 ERA)
• RHP Wilkin Ramos (W, 4-2) (BS, 2): 1 2/3 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, BB, 3 K (5.40 ERA)

The Mets used seven pitchers to get through 10 innings, with Mike Vasil going four innings as the starter. Considering how his season went, it was a relatively positive outing despite not being too notable otherwise. The Mets got four scoreless innings from four separate relievers following Vasil’s departure before Luis Moreno and Wilkin Ramos coughed up the lead in the ninth. Fortunately, Ramos pitched an easy 10th inning to set Syracuse up for victory.

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Washington starter Jake Irvin (10-12, 4.07 ERA) feasted on the Mets’ lineup in his third start against them this year. He looked much more like the version of himself that allowed one hit in eight scoreless innings to the Mets on July 4 and not the version that allowed six runs to the Mets just five days later.

Irvin again pitched into the eighth inning, but this time it came back to bite the Nats. He got pulled with one out and a runner on second after he allowed a double to Tyrone Taylor. Taylor advanced to third on a groundout before crossing home on an infield single from Jose Iglesias.

Iglesias’ hit was critical as it drove in the Mets’ first run to tie the game 1-1. Washington had scored earlier in the game on a José Tena RBI single in the fourth inning, but Sean Manaea (11-5, 3.26) was otherwise his brilliant self to keep the Mets squarely in the game. Manaea allowed just one run in seven innings of work, his seventh straight outing of at least 6 2/3 innings.

The pitchers’ duel between Manaea and Irvin put the game in the hands of the bullpens, and José Buttó did his part by pitching a scoreless eighth. Edwin Díaz followed suit with a scoreless ninth despite allowing James Wood to reach third base as the go-ahead run. Jose A. Ferrer matched Díaz with a scoreless ninth inning, pushing the game into extras.

Reed Garrett did an excellent job in the 10th inning, keeping the Nationals scoreless despite an inning-opening sacrifice bunt to move the runner over. With the perfect chance to walk off the game, Francisco Alvarez hit a deep sacrifice fly to advance Harrison Bader to third before Starling Marte delivered the winning hit with a line drive into left field.

MARTE WALKS IT OFF!!! The METS WIN! pic.twitter.com/KmnD2wBCiA

— Metsmerized Online (@Metsmerized) September 17, 2024

Despite being down 1-0 in the eighth inning, the Mets managed to win another game in which their offense was nearly nonexistent. The victory moves the Mets to 82-68 on the year and keeps them in the final Wild Card spot.

Statistic of the Game: Consistency is Key

Sean Manaea has pitched at least 6 2/3 innings in each of his last seven starts. He is the only pitcher in MLB this season to accomplish this feat. After he started the year unable to go deep into games, Manaea has completely reinvented himself, turning into one of the best pitchers in baseball. Over his last seven starts, Manaea has tossed 48 innings with a 2.81 ERA.

Player of the Game

Starling Marte is the player of the game for delivering the winning hit. He entered the game in the eighth inning as a pinch-hitter and recorded a one-pitch groundout, but his last at-bat was the one that mattered. Marte entered Monday with a .569 OPS in his last 24 games, so hopefully, this can be the moment that turns things around for him.

On Deck

The Mets and Nationals continue their series on Tuesday evening. Tylor Megill (3-5, 4.48 ERA) will go against lefty Mitchell Parker (7-9, 4.24 ERA). Megill has struggled against Washington in his career, owning a 5.83 ERA in seven appearances. Parker, in his rookie year, has pitched just once against New York, and he allowed five runs in six innings of work.

The game will air on SNY, with the first pitch scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET.

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Twice, the Mets beat Baltimore in walk-off fashion to take two out of three from Baltimore. As a result, crucial ground was made up in the race for a Wild Card spot.

Furthermore, New York further highlighted its postseason credentials by beating the Orioles, one of the best teams in baseball.

On that note, let’s dive into another edition of 3 Up, 3 Down…

Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

3 UP

WALK-OFF HEROICS 

Besides an ugly clunker in the second game, this was a memorable series for the Mets. And a lot of that was thanks to some late-inning heroics. In the series opener, Francisco Alvarez broke out of his slump with a mammoth 421 ft walk-off blast to win the game. It was Alvarez’s first career walk-off homer. If that wasn’t thrilling enough, Jesse Winker arguably went one better in the series finale. With the game tied 3-3 in the bottom of the ninth, Winker stepped up to the plate and launched a pinch-hit, game-winning bomb. It was Winker’s first home run as a Met, and what a time for it to arrive. Both walk-off homers were huge in winning this series against an elite O’s team. They could also be massive in the overall context of the season.

STEPPING UP

Sean Manaea continues to be money when his team really needs him the most. The lefty was stellar on Wednesday, retiring the first 17 hitters he faced. He did give up a two-home run, but finished with nine strikeouts and no walks. More importantly, Manaea gave the Mets length by going a full seven innings. He’s now tossed seven innings in four of his last five outings. And the veteran’s dominant start set the groundwork for the heroics that followed in the series finale.

FRANCISCO THE GREAT

There are not enough superlatives to justify Francisco Lindor’s greatness in 2024. The shortstop is playing at the very peak of his powers right now. He’s carrying this team, and that was on display against Baltimore. Lindor laced two doubles on Tuesday, before getting the Mets on the board on Wednesday with his 25th homer of the year. As a result of that blast, he also created some history. Lindor is the first shortstop in MLB history with three seasons of 25/25 (Mathew Brownstein).

Furthermore, he has reached base in 20 straight games and is the only player – along with Royals star Bobby Witt Jr. – to go 25/25 and have 30 doubles in MLB in 2024. Yes, Lindor is playing at an elite level right now, and he deserves MVP consideration.

Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

3 DOWN

FALSE START? 

There was hope that Francisco Alvarez’s walk-off homer on Monday would signal a breakout. Instead, the catcher returned to his struggles throughout the series. He went 0-for-3 with a walk on Tuesday, before striking out in his only at-bat as a pinch-hitter in the finale. The Mets will need as much power as they can get from their lineup down the stretch. Therefore, they will need more of the slugging Alvarez we saw on Monday.

FALLING OFF? 

Just what has happened to José Quintana? The veteran starter has seemingly fallen off a cliff in 2024. He was awful in his latest start on Tuesday, allowing seven earned runs on eight hits with two walks over five innings. He also gave up two home runs. As a result, Quintana has now allowed 22 home runs on the year and his ERA sits at 4.57. Furthermore, he has pitched to a brutal 8.27 ERA in August. Quintana has become the weak link in this rotation, which could become a major problem.

COMEDY OF ERRORS

The Mets’ one loss in this series was an ugly one. And the 9-5 clunker to the Orioles was filled with unwatchable errors and cheap mistakes. Brandon Nimmo, still nursing a sore shoulder, misplayed a ball in the outfield before lefty reliever Danny Young threw the ball away to allow two runs to score and put the game out of reach. All in all, those mistakes didn’t prove costly as far as the series was concerned. However, those kinds of mental lapses could prove costly in a Wild Card race as tight as this one.

The post 3 Up, 3 Down: Mets Walk-Off the Orioles appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

41. 2020

If an Opening Day win occurs but no fans are there to see it, does it count? Sure, but it still feels hallow. Yoenis Céspedes‘ solo homer was the only scoring in a shutout of the Braves.

40. 1971

The Mets’ first opening game win at Shea is shortened to five innings due to heavy rain. Tom Seaver allows a pair of runs to the Montreal Expos but is supported by early offense in a 4-2 victory.

39. 1981

Homers from Rusty Staub and Lee Mazzilli in the fourth are the difference at Wrigley Field. The 2-0 win was protected by Pat Zachry‘s five shutout frames plus a three-inning (!!) save from Neil Allen.

38. 1972

Another three-inning save, this one from Tug McGraw to secure another Seaver W. Overshadowing the day was poor weather, a delayed start of the schedule because of a players’ strike, and the recent passing of manager Gil Hodges.

37. 2023

The news of Justin Verlander‘s injury which sent him to the IL put a damper on the positive outcome at loanDepot Park. Max Scherzer lets the Marlins tie it in the sixth, but the Mets answer with two deciding runs in the top of the seventh.

36. 1982

New York put six earned runs on Phillies’ ace Steve Carlton at Veteran Stadium, including a four-run seventh. Bob Bailor drives in three and goes 3-for-4 with two doubles.

35. 2017

Victory aside, it was a sign of what was to come: frustrating offense as the Mets left nine on base and failed to get on the scoreboard until exploding for six in the seventh, while Noah Syndergaard was brilliant until departing with a blister.

34. 1979

Even as they embarked on a third straight last-place season, they were unbeatable from the jump. In what will become a recurring theme of “Mets busts who nonetheless had great debuts,” Richie Hebner goes 4-for-5 with four runs batted in as New York tops Chicago, 10-6.

33. 1976

None of the top five in the Mets batting order got a hit. The bottom of the lineup bailed them out. Del Unser, Jerry Grote, and Bud Harrelson combined to tally four hits. Harrelson drove in two runs in a 3-2 final. Tom Seaver lasted seven innings and struck out eight.

32. 1980

New York breaks a 1-1 tie with four runs in the sixth, helped by an error from former Met (and now Chicago Cub) Lenny Randle. Craig Swan is the Opening Day starter (and victor). Neil Allen takes it from there and goes two innings to get the save.

31. 2009

The Reds only managed a run on three hits and four walks in 5.2 innings versus Johan Santana. Daniel Murphy homers and drives both New York runs. Francisco Rodriguez makes his first regular-season appearance as a Met and pitches a 1-2-3 bottom of the ninth.

30. 1977

Tom Seaver’s last Mets Opening Day start (for now). He spots the Chicago Cubs a 2-0 lead before New York’s bats come through in the sixth with hits from Lee Mazzilli, John Milner, and John Stearns. Seaver departs in the eighth and Skip Lockwood nails it down.

29. 2010

This game had four errors—three by the Florida Marlins and one by David Wright. “The Captain” more than made up for it with a two-run homer in the bottom of the first. The Mets put up a four spot in the sixth to give Johan Santana a win.

28. 2012

Santana returns after missing all of 2011 with a shoulder injury and goes five scoreless innings against Atlanta. The Mets only need a run, and it comes after Johan departs. He’d have an even more memorable outing less than two months later.

27. 2002

A season full of optimism eventually turns sour, but not here. New York scored three in the second and Al Leiter takes care of the Pittsburgh Pirates over six frames. Edgardo Alfonzo goes 3-for-4, and Jay Payton homers.

26. 1991

The Vince Coleman era begins! A future Mets bust for the ages has a pretty good debut, going 2-for-4 in the leadoff spot and stealing a base. Dwight Gooden strikes out seven Phillies over eight innings and John Franco goes 1-2-3 to close out a 2-1 victory.

25. 1978

Jerry Koosman goes the distance in the first start of his final season as a Met and the first Opening Day without Tom Seaver on the mound since 1968. The lone blemish is a home run by future friend Gary Carter, who’d do it for the proper side in about seven years.

24. 1986

One of 108. For all the thrills this season had, the opener was rather ordinary as Gooden appeared to have picked up where he left off in 1985. In another complete game, this time at Three Rivers Stadium, Doc allowed two runs on six hits. The Mets had four extra-base hits, all of them doubles.

23. 2018

On a day in which the Mets family mourned the loss of Rusty Staub, the team took care of the St. Louis Cardinals, 9-4. Noah Syndergaard fanned 10 and went six innings while the offense broke it open with a five-run fifth.

22. 1993

The first regular season game in the history of the Colorado Rockies. Dwight Gooden greeted the expansion club with a four-hit shutout. Bobby Bonilla homers in a 3-0 win. By season’s end, the Rockies would finish with eight more victories than the basement-dwelling Mets.

21. 2022

Tylor Megill fills in for Jacob deGrom and plays the ace role quite well, with five scoreless innings. The Mets waste many chances to expand a lead that ended at four as they leave 10 runners on base. Robinson Canó goes 2-for-3 with two runs scored in one of his last appearances.

20. 1973

Tom Seaver’s second Cy Young season started out splendidly. He out-dueled Steve Carlton and, with Tug McGraw, blanked the Philadelphia Phillies. Cleon Jones provided a pair of homers (in the fourth and eighth) and drove in all of the Mets’ three runs.

19. 2007

Revenge from the NLCS? Not entirely. The Mets got one back in St. Louis as the defending champion Cards got to show off another championship banner. Tom Glavine and company allowed 10 hits but only a run. New York had solid hitting performances from Paul Lo Duca and Carlos Delgado.

18. 2004

Kaz Matsui had nowhere to go but down after leading off his major-league debut with a home run to dead center at Turner Field and then finishing 3-for-3 with three RBIs. The Mets scored in each of the first four innings to support Tom Glavine against his former club.

17. 2006

Glavine was the starter again, this time at Shea versus the Washington Nationals. He gave up one earned over six. Washington wound up with 12 hits but only two runs to show for it thanks to nine left on base. The Mets didn’t make it easy on themselves, stranding 10. But fortunately, three scored.

16. 2008

The much-anticipated debut of Johan Santana happened at Marlins Park in front of more than 38,000. Florida fans showed up and Johan pretty much did too. He struck out eight and allowed two runs over seven. David Wright doubled twice and drove in three of New York’s seven runs.

15. 2013

Opening Day is an opportunity to elevate yourself above most other regular-season games. Just ask Collin Cowgill. The outfielder made just 61 at-bats as a Met and played in only 23 games. Yet he’s remembered better than most thanks to his seventh-inning grand slam to left field—punctuating a terrific team-hitting display against San Diego.

14. 1994

Not the prettiest, but when an unknown like the Cubs’ Tuffy Rhodes hits three home runs (and had 13 total over six seasons) against Dwight Gooden and it doesn’t change the outcome it doesn’t look as bad. Luckily, the wind at Wrigley was blowing out for both sides. The Mets hit three home runs themselves in a 12-8 decision.

13. 2019

It was vintage deGrom as the back-to-back Cy Young effort wasted no time, fanning 10 and allowing five hits over six innings. Max Scherzer had 12 K’s, but Robinson Canó overcame it with a solo home run in his first Mets at-bat and an eighth inning single that provided. New York small insurance. Edwin Díaz (also making his Mets debut) got the save.

12. 1987

It started with a ring ceremony and ended with handshakes. The Mets kicked off defense of their World Series title by beating the Pirates behind a Darryl Strawberry first-inning homer. New York got all its scoring done in the first, then held on as Pittsburgh scratched for a ninth-inning run but came up one short. Dwight Gooden would have ordinarily pitched, but instead was in drug rehab.

11. 2015

The Mets began their most recent World Series season in unusual and historic fashion. At age 41, Bartolo Colón became the oldest Opening Day starter in Mets history and 37-year-old Buddy Carlyle recorded his only save in the orange and blue after Lucas Duda thwarted Max Scherzer‘s no-hit bid in the sixth thanks in part to a Washington Nationals fielding misplay.

10. 1989

Howard Johnson‘s second 30-30 season was initiated with three hits, including a home run to right field. Kevin Elster and Darryl Strawberry matched HoJo’s hit total, while Straw stole two bases. Gooden, making his fourth Opening Day start since ’85, was afforded the comfort of a big lead and allowed three runs.

9. 2001

This didn’t totally erase the Turner Field hex, but Robin Ventura‘s two home runs—the first off John Rocker—was nonetheless satisfying. Mike Piazza also went deep to open the scoring, the Braves got to Al Leiter and John Franco and managed to tie it at four in the bottom of the eighth before Ventura’s tenth-inning two-run blast.

8. 1992

Everything was lovely in Mets-ville. A loss was barely avoided as Mackey Sasser beat out a throw to first on a ninth-inning double play attempt. Bobby Bonilla broke a 2-2 game in the 10th at Busch Stadium and a team that had pennant-winning expectations was off to a great start. Nothing could go wrong…except everything.

7. 1975

Another Seaver-Carlton face-off. Another win in Seaver’s column. Neither starter would let the bullpen decide it, and it wasn’t settled until the bottom of the ninth, tied at one. Carlton relinquished a leadoff single to Félix Millán, a walk to John Milner, and a base hit to Joe Torre that allowed Millán to score.

6. 1970

After going 0-8 in openers, the Mets got their first as they began defense of their championship. Neither Seaver nor Pirates ace Steve Blass factored into the decision as a 3–3 tie lasted into the eleventh, when bad Pittsburgh defense and more heroics from World Series MVP Donn Clendenon helped break the deadlock. The former Pirate singled to bring in the deciding runs.

5. 1998

Manager Bobby Valentine used 19 players. The last was Alberto Castillo, who put an end to the four-hour affair. With two outs and the bases loaded in the bottom of the 14th, Castillo singled to finally break the scoreless tie and beat the Philadelphia Phillies.

4. 1988

From one run to several home runs, Darryl Strawberry and company gave new meaning to lift-off. The club racked up a record number of round-trippers in Montreal. Strawberry hit two, the second a titanic blast that struck the roof. Gooden wasn’t his best, but he didn’t need to be as the Mets put up a 10 spot.

3. 1996

Rey Ordóñez, making his big-league debut, showed why he was being hailed as the second coming of Ozzie Smith. He cut down a potential run in the seventh inning with a perfect relay throw from his knees on the outfield grass. Shortly after, Ordóñez keyed a rally that helped the Mets cap a comeback from down 6-0.

2. 1983

Tom Seaver was back. Shea Stadium was packed. The sun was shining. All was right in a Mets fans’ world. Making his record-setting 16th Opening Day start, the 38-year-old Seaver tosses six shoutout innings in a performance reminiscent of vintage Tom. It was a no-decision, but an otherwise glorious afternoon filled with nostalgia.

1. 1985

The cup overflowed with Opening Day hype, and the game delivered. Gary Carter joined Doc, Darryl, and Keith to create the most anticipated season to date. Carter’s Mets debut were the stuff of storybooks. On a cold, blustery day at Shea, Gary delivered a walk-off home run in the 10th, which cut through the wind and cleared the left-center field fence.

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