Category: Fanblogs
Final Recap: Mets 10 – Cardinals 6
The New York Mets (64-63) defeated the St. Louis Cardinal (67-59) by the final score of 10-6 tonight to take a critical series victory over one of the Wild Card leaders. For a full boxscore recap follow the link below…
Game Notes:
- Alejandro De Aza had quite a game going 2-5 with 5 RBI’s including a 3-run home run. He also made a home run robbing catch in the bottom of the first inning.
- Seth Lugo was fantastic picking up his first Major League win despite leaving early with a right calf cramp. He went 5 scoreless innings while allowing only 2 hits, and 3 walks with 5 strikeouts.
- James Loney was 3-5 with 3 runs scored.
- Rene Rivera was 2-4 with 2 RBIs.
- Wilmer Flores was 2-3 with an RBI and 3 runs scored.
- Asdrubal Cabrera was 2-3 with an RBI.
Low and behold the Mets are creeping back into the Wild Card race with tonight’s series victory. Despite the Mets having an injury riddled roster they have simply tried to keep their heads above water with replacements, and the return of Yoenis Cespedes has done wonders as the team is now 4-2 since his return. Yes there are significant question marks regarding the starting rotation but those are problems that we can worry about tomorrow, as tonight’s win just feels good. It is getting a little unbelievable though how many injuries keep piling up for the Mets with starter Seth Lugo going down tonight while he was pitching his best game as a Major Leaguer. It is becoming a rite of passage it seems that in order to play for the Mets you must suffer some sort of injury and pay your dues on the disabled list (sarcasm).
The Mets are now 3.5 games behind the Cardinals with a favorable schedule down the stretch. The Mets have struggled against below .500 teams which is something they will certainly have to improve upon if they want any shot of October. The team will also hope to avoid any more serious injuries down the stretch as this team can not afford to be losing anymore starters. Things are looking up for the Mets however after tonight’s game, and what a difference 24 hours makes after last night’s debacle. The Mets will now host the Phillies for three games at Citi Field this weekend and they will have Neil Walker rejoin the team, and hopefully Jay Bruce will be back in the starting lineup as well. Let’s keep believing Mets fans, as hard as it’s been this season we still have a chance and tonight that sense of hope is all that matters!
Lineups: Mets vs. Cardinals 7:15 pm et.
New York Mets (63-63):
1. Jose Reyes (S) 3B
2. Asdrubal Cabrera (S) SS
3. Yoenis Cespedes (R) LF
4. James Loney (L) 1B
5. Curtis Granderson (L) RF
6. Wilmer Flores (R) 2B
7. Alejandro De Aza (L) CF
8. Rene Rivera (R) C
9. Seth Lugo (R) P
SP: Seth Lugo RHP (0-2, 3.04 ERA)
St. Louis Cardinals (67-58):
1. Matt Carpenter (L) 1B
2. Jedd Gyorko (R) 2B
3. Brandon Moss (L) LF
4. Stephen Piscotty (R) RF
5. Yadier Molina (R) C
6. Jhonny Peralta (R) 3B
7. Randal Grichuk (R) CF
8. Greg Garcia (L) SS
9. Adam Wainwright (R) P
SP: Adam Wainwright RHP (9-7, 4.71 ERA)
Tonight’s game can be seen on SNY and the MLB Network.
Mets Tidbits:
- Jon Niese will be going under the knife today to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. The arthroscopic procedure is expected to sideline the left-hander for 4 weeks and it is very possible we have seen the last of Niese this season. If his season is indeed over he ends the year with an 8-7 record with a 5.50 ERA between the Mets and the Pirates. The 29-year old lefty carries a $10 million club option that surely will be bought out by the Mets this offseason for the smaller rate of $500,000.
- After leaving last night’s game in the second inning after hitting a double, Jay Bruce was diagnosed with a right leg cramp. Bruce was pulled from the game and pinch ran for by Alejandro De Aza who took Bruce’s position on the field. Manager Terry Collins had stated after last night’s game that Bruce’s calf had knotted up during the first inning while he was in the field. The injury reportedly stems from Bruce fouling a ball off his leg. We can safely consider Bruce day-to-day but the amount of injuries the Mets have faced this season is beyond ridiculous.
- The Mets will recall left-handed pitcher Sean Gilmartin (pictured) from Triple-A Las Vegas prior to tonight’s ballgame and demote recently promoted reliever Erik Goeddel. The 26-year old Gilmartin has pitched nine innings for the Mets this season and posted a 7.00 ERA. The lefty has primarily functioned as a starting pitcher over in Las Vegas and has posted a 9-7 record with a 4.86 ERA and 94 strikeouts in 107.1 innings. Goeddel allowed two runs in 1.2 innings pitched last night while allowing one walk and striking out three.
Lineups: Mets vs. Cardinals 8:15 pm et.
New York Mets (63-62):
1. Jose Reyes (S) 3B
2. Curtis Granderson (L) CF
3. Yoenis Cespedes (R) LF
4. Jay Bruce (L) RF
5. James Loney (L) 1B
6. Asdrubal Cabrera (S) SS
7. Kelly Johnson (L) 2B
8. Travis d’Arnaud (R) C
9. Jacob deGrom (L) P
SP: Jacob deGrom RHP (7-6, 2.73 ERA)
St. Louis Cardinals (66-58):
1. Matt Carpenter (L) 1B
2. Jedd Gyorko (R) 2B
3. Brandon Moss (L) LF
4. Stephen Piscotty (R) RF
5. Yadier Molina (R) C
6. Jhonny Peralta (R) 3B
7. Randal Grichuk (R) CF
8. Greg Garcia (L) SS
9. Carlos Martinez (R) P
SP: Carlos Martinez RHP (11-7, 3.24 ERA)
Tonight’s game can be seen on SNY.
Lineups: Mets vs. Cardinals 8:15 pm et
New York Mets (62-62):
1. Jose Reyes (S) 3B
2. Asdrubal Cabrera (S) SS
3. Yoenis Cespedes (R) LF
4. Wilmer Flores (R) 1B
5. Jay Bruce (L) RF
6. T.J. Rivera (R) 2B
7. Justin Ruggiano (R) CF
8. Travis d’Arnaud (R) C
9. Jonathon Niese (L) P
SP: Jonathon Niese LHP (8-7, 5.30 ERA)
St. Louis Cardinals (66-57):
1. Tommy Pham (R) LF
2. Stephen Piscotty (R) RF
3. Matt Carpenter (L) 2B
4. Brandon Moss (L) 1B
5. Yadier Molina (R) C
6. Jhonny Peralta (R) 3B
7. Jedd Gyorko (R) SS
8. Randal Grichuk (R) CF
9. Jaime Garcia (L) P
SP: Jaime Garcia LHP (10-8, 4.11 ERA)
Tonight’s game can be seen on SNY.
Lineups: Mets vs. Giants 8:05 pm et.
New York Mets (61-62):
1. Jose Reyes (S) 3B
2. Curtis Granderson (L) CF
3. Yoenis Cespedes (R) LF
4. Jay Bruce (L) RF
5. Neil Walker (S) 2B
6. James Loney (L) 1B
7. Asdrubal Cabrera (S) SS
8. Rene Rivera (R) C
9. Noah Syndergaard (L) P
SP: Noah Syndergaard RHP (10-7, 2.76 ERA)
San Francisco Giants (68-55):
1. Denard Span (L) CF
2. Eduardo Nunez (R) 3B
3. Brandon Belt (L) 1B
4. Brandon Crawford (L) SS
5. Hunter Pence (R) RF
6. Joe Panik (L) 2B
7. Gregor Blanco (L) LF
8. Trevor Brown (R) C
9. Jeff Samardzija (R) P
SP: Jeff Samardzija RHP (10-8, 4.24 ERA)
Tonight’s game can be seen on ESPN.
Lineups: Mets vs. Giants 10:15 pm et.
New York Mets (60-61):
1. Jose Reyes (S) 3B
2. Kelly Johnson (L) 2B
3. Jay Bruce (L) RF
4. Yoenis Cespedes (R) LF
5. James Loney (L) 1B
6. Curtis Granderson (L) CF
7. Asdrubal Cabrera (S) SS
8. Rene Rivera (R) C
9. Seth Lugo (R) P
SP: Seth Lugo RHP (0-1, 2.65 ERA)
San Francisco Giants (67-54):
1. Denard Span (L) CF
2. Angel Pagan (S) LF
3. Brandon Belt (L) 1B
4. Buster Posey (R) C
5. Brandon Crawford (L) SS
6. Hunter Pence (R) RF
7. Eduardo Nunez (R) 3B
8. Joe Panik (L) 2B
9. Johnny Cueto (R) P
SP: Johnny Cueto RHP (13-3, 2.97 ERA)
Tonight’s game can be seen on SNY.
Are we watching the Mets season end before our eyes?
It’s a fair question to ask and one that could be answered rather simply with the way things have gone for the team over the past several weeks. The Mets have been ravaged with injuries, not hitting when the pitching is on and not pitching when the hitting is on, as well as their manager being speculated to be on the hot seat by baseball insiders. I noted that prior to their last homestand against below average opponents that stretch could possibly make or break their season. And it looks like that homestand, and the trip to Arizona have spoken quite loudly. Continue reading
Josh Edgin demoted, Smoker recalled.
The Mets are expected to make a slew of roster moves prior to tonight’s game due to returns of Yoenis Cespedes and Asdrubal Cabrera off the disabled list, but the team made a bullpen move first. Left-handed reliever Josh Edgin has been sent down to Triple-A Las Vegas and the team has recalled left-hander Josh Smoker from Triple-A Las Vegas.
The 29-year old Edgin has made five appearances for the Mets out of the bullpen and posted a 9.82 ERA in 3.2 innings pitched. That inflated ERA can be attributed to Edgin giving up four runs in an inning of work against the Arizona Diamondbacks on August 17th. Edgin more likely than not will be back up with the big club before the end of the season.
The 27-year old Smoker is currently ranked as the Mets 28th best prospect by MLB.com and will be making his big league debut when he enters a game. Smoker has been described as being built like a Coke Machine for his sturdy build at 6’2 and 250 lbs. In 57 innings pitched at Las Vegas, Smoker has posted a 4.11 ERA to go along with 3 saves and 81 strikeouts. He has only walked 18 batters, and has been praised by many scouts for the velocity he brings to the mound. Smoker can reach the upper 90’s with his fastball, but comfortably sits in the mid 90’s with his repertoire. He will fit right in with the flamethrowers that the Mets currently have in their bullpen.
Mets activate Ruggiano demote Ynoa
Prior to tonight’s game the Mets activated outfielder Justin Ruggiano from the 15-Day Disabled List. In a corresponding roster move, right-handed pitcher Gabriel Ynoa was sent back down to Triple-A Las Vegas.
Ruggiano, 34, was signed by the Mets on July 30 and he was 1-6 (.167) in three games before he ended up on the DL with a strained left hamstring. He was 3-11 (.273) with one double in three rehabilitation games with Las Vegas (AAA) of the Pacific Coast League. Ruggiano will see the bulk of his playing time in center field for the Mets as they currently lack a true center fielder on the roster. He was starting in center field and hitting sixth for the Mets tonight.
The 23-year old Ynoa was recalled on August 13, and appeared in three games for the Mets. He allowed four runs in the three innings he pitched, but did pick up a win with a scoreless inning of relief in the extra inning marathon against the Padres back on August 13. He will return to a 10-5 record with a 4.42 ERA at Las Vegas, but we most likely will see him again when rosters expand in September.
Manager Terry Collins also indicated prior to tonight’s game that both outfielder Yoenis Cespedes and shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera will be activated off the disabled list tomorrow.
Above The Mendoza 