New York Mets’ Jacob deGrom pitches during the second inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Sunday, July 17, 2016, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

The New York Mets defeated the Philadelphia Phillies this afternoon by the final score of 5-0. For a full boxscore recap follow the link below…

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2016_07_17_nynmlb_phimlb_1#game=2016_07_17_nynmlb_phimlb_1,game_tab=box,game_state=Wrapup

Game Notes:

• Jacob deGrom threw a complete game shutout, allowing only one hit, while striking out 7 and only walking 1.
• Curtis Granderson was 1-3 with a solo HR.
• Asdrubal Cabrera was 1-4 with a 2-run HR.
• Juan Lagares was 1-4 with an RBI triple.
• Jose Reyes was 1-5 with an RBI double.

What an outstanding performance by Jacob deGrom this afternoon! He was absolutely filthy and threw his best game of the season, while only needing 105 pitches to do so. Today’s performance was also the first shutout and complete game in deGrom’s career. With today’s complete game shutout, deGrom became only the third pitcher in Mets history to throw a one-hit shutout in Philadelphia, joining Tom Seaver in 1970 and Terry Leach in 1982 to accomplish that feat. I previously stated that the All Star break came at the perfect time for the Mets rotation, and deGrom looked to be revitalized after deciding to rest, rather than participate in the All Star Game. After the slow start that deGrom’s season got off to with the lat injury and the birth of his son, he has seemed to turn a corner over the last couple of months. His velocity has been on the uptick and he seems to have returned to his dominant form as he has a 1.92 ERA over his last nine starts. The last time the Mets threw a one-hit shutout, R.A Dickey was on the mound against the Orioles back on June 12, 2012 during his Cy Young winning season. A surprising statistic considering all the talent the Mets currently possess in their rotation. Nonetheless congratulations to Jacob and I’m looking forward to a big second half from the Degrominator!

The Mets offense was also clicking today as Juan Lagares stayed hot, and both Asdrubal Cabrera and Curtis Granderson provided a pair of home runs for the Mets. The Mets love hitting in Philly however as they have hit 35 home runs at Citizens Bank Park over the last two seasons, (2015-16) which is the highest total for any visiting team at any major league venue over that span. Jose Reyes also stole his second base as a member of the Mets which now puts him only one behind the Mets team lead with three. A mind-boggling statistic nonetheless. 

This was the perfect series win for the Mets heading into Wrigley Field for the next three games. The Cubs are certainly going to have revenge on their mind as they have lost eight straight to the Mets dating back to last year’s NLCS. The Mets will have to bring their A game as they did a couple of weeks back when the Cubs came to Citi Field. It’s going to be a great competitive series, but for the rest of the day I’m going to enjoy this victory and deGrom’s historic performance. 

• The Mets will open up a three-game series with the Cubs tomorrow evening at Wrigley with first pitch slated for 7:05 pm et. You can catch tomorrow night’s game on SNY and ESPN.

• It will be a battle of southpaws as lefty Steven Matz (7-5, 3.38 ERA) will make his first start of the second half and oppose Cubs lefty Jon Lester (9-4, 3.01 ERA).