The New York Mets (41-37) rallied to defeat the Chicago Cubs (51-27) tonight by the final score of 4-3. For a full boxscore recap follow the link below…

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2016_06_30_chnmlb_nynmlb_1#game=2016_06_30_chnmlb_nynmlb_1,game_tab=box,game_state=Wrapup

Game Notes:

• Yoenis Cespedes went 1-4 and hit the Mets longest home run of the season (solo HR) in the bottom of the 6th at 466 feet.
• Brandon Nimmo was 1-4 and picked up his first career RBI with an RBI single in the bottom of the 7th.
• Neil Walker was 1-4 and credited with an RBI that scored two runs on a fielder’s choice and a throwing error on the same play in the bottom of the 7th.
• Steven Matz went 5.1 innings and allowed 3 runs on 7 hits. He struck out 6 and walked 3.
• Jeurys Familia converted his 27th save of the season.

This was exactly the kind of win the Mets needed to hopefully pull them back in the right direction, as they are in the middle of the toughest stretch of games on their schedule this season. For the first five innings it seemed more of the same Mets that we had seen over the last 4 days. But a Yoenis Cespedes bomb in the bottom of the sixth to cut the Cubs lead to 3-1, seemed to bring some life back into the team. The Mets fought and scrapped in the bottom of the seventh to take a 4-3 lead that they would never relinquish. The Mets from the sixth inning on played with a sense of urgency, and it was the kind of performance we were used to seeing in the second half of last season, and the beginning of this season. 

Steven Matz pitched a great game tonight, as he only allowed two mistake pitches which included a 2-run home run to Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant in the top of the first inning, and a solo home run allowed to second baseman Javier Baez in the top of the sixth. Matz appeared to look good on the mound physically, considering the circumstances he is pitching with. He told reporters after the game that he had taken some anti-inflammatory medicine for his elbow and that his elbow felt fine while pitching during the game. If Matz can work around the bone spur for the rest of the season and return to form, he will be a huge factor for the Mets down the stretch. 

Jeurys Familia tip-toed out of a jam in the top of the ninth inning after allowing the first two batters to reach base. Familia faced runners on second and third with no outs, and came out unscathed while facing the middle of the Cubs lineup. Familia continues to display why he is one of the best closers in the game this season, as he is now a perfect 27 for 27 in save opportunities. Familia has been the one constant for the Mets this season and it would’ve been truly heartbreaking had he blown the save. However that wasn’t the case tonight, and the Mets I believe are celebrating one of their best wins of the season, if not their best win.

If the Mets are able to keep the momentum rolling through the rest of the All-Star Break, a win like tonight’s game are always the kind of games you look back at. The Mets fought hard against one of the best team’s in baseball and were visibly fired up after the game. Reestablishing their identity over this homestand is huge, and I believe they can do it if they continue to fight like they did tonight. Oh yeah and keep on smiling Mr. Nimmo you’ve earned it with the way you’ve played since your call-up! Here’s to an uneven June but hopefully a better July!

• The Mets and Cubs will square off in the second matchup of their four-game series tomorrow night at 7:10 pm et. Tomorrow’s game can be seen on SNY and MLB Network.

• Jacob deGrom (3-4, 2.67 ERA) will take the hill for the Mets against Cubs right-hander Jason Hammel (7-4, 2.58 ERA)