Stamford, CT: There is a lot going on around town – should I write about the Knicks’ blockbuster trade, tough losses by the Giants and Jets, or two big Yankees injuries? I kid. I’m no Mets fan and I never will be. But today, we gots to give the people what they want. What an epic win by your New York Mets!
Double-Header Chaos
If you like baseball and you like chaos, this was a Monday for you. The winner of the first game was sure to trot out their B lineup and least important pitchers for the second game. So a split seemed likely, and that’s the way it went down. I thought maybe the teams had a little wink wink agreement to split so both would get in. But they both went after it in the first game, with a wild final two innings.
Through the first 7, it looked grim for our heroes. Schwellenbach was dealing and the Mets only had three hits. With only 85 pitches, Schwell came out for the 8th.
Turning Point
The most memorable swing of this classic, and rightly so, was Lindor’s homer. But the turning point came in the 8th, when Taylor doubled on the 11th pitch he saw to start the frame. Tyrone Taylor is definitely not a guy I had to Google after that double. I don’t know who told you that. Anyway, I made a little note to myself that if the Mets rallied, that would be the AB that got it going.
The Mets then went to work on the Braves’ best relievers, Jimenez and Iglesias, who couldn’t get anybody out. When the dust settled, the Mets were up 6 to 3.
Wild Finish
Unsurprisingly, the Mets’ pen couldn’t hold it. Maton and Diaz quickly gave up the lead in the bottom half, and the Mets trailed 7-6 going into the 9th. “Here we go again” vibes were in the air, and we were up to 10 on the anxiety meter.
But the plucky Mets rallied again. After a Marte single, Lindor blasted one over of the center field wall and the Mets had wrestled the lead back. Perhaps Lindor’s heroics changed the minds of some MVP voters. Huge dong there.
Diaz was able to hold the save on his second try and the Mets are off to Milwaukee. Diaz threw 40 pitches, so might not be available for the quick game 1 turnaround. And the Brewers have given the Mets trouble, including taking two of three over this past weekend. But the Mets are in and anything can happen.
Final Thoughts
The only thing left was to see if the Mets would try for some revenge against their old nemesis and knock out the Braves. But much to the dismay of the Diamondbacks, they didn’t put up a fight in the second game. Sorry snakes.
It was a huge win. Getting it done in the first game let them save Severino and the rotation is set up pretty well on solid rest to battle the Brew Crew. Severino, and all of his experience with the Yankees, takes the mound on Tuesday. Should be fun.
Angry Ward is next up in our rotation on full rest tomorrow.
