The Mets played good tight baseball today, and they were rewarded with a sweep of today’s doubleheader against the Rockies. Onward and upward.
The Mets reeled off two wins against the Colorado Rockies that all but a stamp of approval on the successful brand of baseball the team is playing this year – albeit with a total of five runs over both games.
I don’t want to jinx anything, but it’s starting to look more and more like the Mets are a team of destiny this year, not only welcoming but thriving on adversity.
But first, the details because you’re gonna like them.
For game one, Marcus Stroman did what it was hoped he would do in following up Jacob deGrom‘s uplifting five-inning return from the IL, with six innings of shutout ball, before ceding to Edwin Diaz, who didn’t disappoint with his ninth save of the year.
Jose Peraza, one of the Mets replacement players taking advantage of an opportunity, hit his second home run of the year to provide the Mets with the game’s only run.
In the “nightcap,” a game won by the Mets by a score of 4-1, it was beginning to look like good luck or no luck at all when newcomer Billy McKinney grounded into a double play – but third-baseman Jonathan Villar scored on the play.
Rolling the dice, Mets manager Luis Rojas hoped for and basically received a good effort from starting pitcher Joey Luchessi, keeping the Mets in the game for 3.2 innings while yielding one earned run.
From there, the Mets underestimated bullpen took over before Jacob Barnes bailed out a faltering Robert Gsellman in the seventh inning to nail down a 4-2 victory.
The sweep ensures the Mets will hold onto their slim two-game lead in the National League East Standings.
Mets: Some Help Finally Arrives
Acting Mets GM finally got off the pot to bring in outfielder Billy McKinney, and the results, while not spectacular, were immediate today as he scored two of the Mets runs in the second game and showed off his speed with a stolen base.
But it’s the combination of good pitching and timely hitting that keeps the Mets where they are today.
However, the challenges keep on coming, though, as the Atlanta Braves come to Citi Field for a three-game weekend series.
The Braves, who have their own issues, with key players injured, including Marcell Ozuna and ace starting pitcher Mile Soroka, who is out until at least mid-July, have been less than impressive as a team versus pre-season predictions.
Mets: Oh, You Mean Those Braves…
Nevertheless, the Braves have been a constant thorn in the side of the Mets with a decided 467–389 advantage during regular-season contests.
Once again, the Mets side of the ledger for Friday’s starter versus the Braves is blank, as Luis Rojas and pitching coach Jeremy Hefner try to piece together a rotation that needs Taijuan Walker back in a hurry, and eventually, Carlos Carrasco to complement what many believed would be one of the best in the National League.
But these are the 2021 New York Mets, and somehow they continue to do what they need to do to not only stay afloat amid a rash of injuries to key players but to surpass what is now (probably) even their own expectations, given what has befallen them.
At some point, the usual suspects like Pete Alonso, Jeff McNeil, Francisco Lindor, J.D. Davis, and Brandon Nimmo will reappear on the scene to make their presence known in the coming months.
But for the moment, is there a Mets fan who can’t say – “Wow, this is impressive”?
Second game SNY recap video follows.
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Mark Holmes Braves up next. Let’s keep it going
Baseball, it is said, is only a game. True. And the Grand Canyon is only a hole in Arizona. Not all holes, or games, are created equal.
