After a David Wright single tied the game at 3-3 in the bottom of the ninth, the Mets loaded the bases in the bottom of the tenth to set up a dramatic walk-off grand slam by Jordany Valdespin in the Metes 7-3 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The walk-off grand slam by Spin was the first in 23 years when Kevin McReynolds last did it in 1991.
Matt Harvey started the game and didn’t have his best stuff as he searched for his fifth win of the season.
The Mets right-hander allowed three earned runs on four hits including Matt Kemp‘s first home run of the season. He walked one while striking out seven and still gets credit for a quality start. However it was the first time this season he didn’t last at least seven innings.
Despite the dramatic blast by Valdespin, the Mets were 3-for-14 with runners in scoring position and had plenty of opportunities to do some damage and avoid extra innings.
But what matters most is the win and this one was sweet.
Bobby Parnell got the win and pitched a scoreless tenth and the bullpen did a great job of keeping the Dodgers in check until the Mets offense rallied to win.
ODDS & ENDS
HARVEY STRIKEOUTS: Matt Harvey has 109 strikeouts in his first 15 career games…The only other Mets with more strikeouts in their first 15 games are Dwight Gooden (113) and Nolan Ryan (112).
HARVEY DOUBLES: Matt Harvey collected his third career double in the fifth inning…The three doubles over the last two years (2012-2013) are tied for third-most in the majors among pitchers…Stephen Strasburg, who has made 30 starts during that time, is first with five and Yovani Gallardo, who has made 37 starts, is second with four…Harvey’s double was also the first extra-base hit by a Mets pitcher this season.
EXTRA-INNINGS: The Mets improved to 1-1 in extra-innings while the Dodgers fell to 0-1 in extra frames.
COMEBACKS: New York rallied from a 3-1 deficit to win…It was the Mets third come-from-behind win of the year.
RUBEN TEJADA: Singled in the fifth inning to snap an 0-18 skid.
DANIEL MURPHY: Was 1-5 to extend his hitting streak to seven games…Hitting .333 (10-30) during the run, which dates to April 16 at Colorado.
BIG QUESTION: Why Terry Collins continues to keep Valdespin from playing everyday is still the big question. As I’ve said again and again and again, Valdespin is a catalyst… He’s a game-breaker… He’s electric… Wake your ass up, Terry!
Great Player… Great Moment… Great Game… Great Finish…
