The New York Mets (3-5) snapped their 4 game losing streak this afternoon by defeating the Miami Marlins (3-4) by the final score of 2-1. For a full boxscore recap follow the link below…

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2016_04_13_miamlb_nynmlb_1#game=2016_04_13_miamlb_nynmlb_1,game_tab=box,game_state=Wrapup

Game Notes:

• Logan Verrett was fantastic this afternoon pitching 6 scoreless innings, while only allowing 3 hits, walking 2, and striking out 6.
• Kevin Plawecki drove in the lone Mets runs this afternoon with a 2-run single in the bottom of the 7th. He finished the afternoon 1-2 with a walk.
• Asdrubal Cabrera was 2-3 this afternoon with a run scored.
• Wilmer Flores who received his first start at 1B this season went 1-3 with a run scored.
• David Wright was 1-3 this afternoon with a walk, and now has reached base safely in 17 straight games dating back to last season on September 20, 2015.
• Jeurys Familia got the 5-out save for the Mets this afternoon allowing 2 hits and striking out 1.

Today’s game began much like many of the Mets games have gone over the past four games as Logan Verrett was pitching a strong game against the Marlins, and the Mets offense could not get anything going against the Marlins starter Adam Conley, who struck out a career high nine batters. The Mets had Conley on the ropes in the bottom of the fourth inning after they loaded the bases with one out, but in early season Mets fashion Wilmer Flores popped out to first base and Asdrubal Cabrera struck out swinging. The Mets however cashed in on their opportunity in the bottom of the seventh when Kevin Plawecki drove in Wilmer Flores and Asdrubal Cabrera from third and second base on a base hit, that he attempted to stretch but was thrown out at second base. Speaking of Wilmer Flores, he had a great game at first base today and looks like a natural defensively at the position. Flores ability to play all over the infield will be an asset for the Mets as the season goes on. 

There were a few moves that I did not agree with today by Manager Terry Collins but ultimately they did not lose the game so it is a moot point now. However I did not agree with Collins pulling Verrett out after the 6th inning as he had been cruising and was only at 85 pitches. It was tough to sell me on him being pulled in that position as Collins has an overworked bullpen and many of Verrett’s pitches and innings were stress free. I disagreed even more with him bringing Jim Henderson on to relieve him in the top of the seventh as Henderson threw 34 pitches last night and struggled. Predictably Henderson loaded the bases again like last night and was removed for Hansel Robles. Henderson looks to be getting overworked early and it will be something to keep an eye on.  Hansel Robles came on in relief in a bases loaded situation with no outs, and immediately struck out the two batters he faced, and Collins pulled Robles for Jerry Blevins. Robles was upset and I can’t blame him as the Marlins could not catch up to anything he was throwing and he seemed primed to get out of that inning. Blevins got the Mets out of the jam by having Dee Gordon fly out which saved a very questionable inning managed. Familia came on in the bottom of the 8th pitching for the third day in a row and was asked to get a five out save. He retired Stanton but then allowed back to back base hits to Martin Prado and Justin Bour, which drove in Chrstian Yelich who had reached base earlier in the inning. Familia buckled down and retired the next four batters with ease but I believe it’s too early in the season for the Mets to be overworking Familia; especially having him on the mound for a 5-out save attempt on his 3rd straight day of work in the middle of April. Terry Collins wanted this game badly it appeared and he did avoid the sweep, hopefully the day-off tomorrow provides some much needed rest for the bullpen. The Mets will head to Cleveland next which will match up arguably the two best rotations in baseball against one another, which should make it a fun series to watch. 

• The Mets have an off-day tomorrow but begin a 9-game road trip starting in Cleveland on Friday. The Mets will play the first of three games against the Indians on Friday with first pitch slated for 7:10 pm et, and can be seen on SNY.

• Bartolo Colon (0-1, 1.23 ERA) will make his second start of the season against Indians righty Cody Anderson (0-0, 3.00 ERA).

Marlins:

1. Dee Gordon (L) 2B
2. Ichiro Suzuki (L) CF
3. Christian Yelich (L) LF
4. Giancarlo Stanton (R) RF
5. Martin Prado (R) 3B
6. Justin Bour (L) 1B
7. J.T. Realmuto (R) C
8. Miguel Rojas (R) SS
9. Adam Conley (L) P

SP: Adam Conley LHP (0-0, 27.00 ERA)

Mets:

1. Curtis Granderson (L) RF
2. David Wright (R) 3B
3. Yoenis Cespedes (R) LF
4. Neil Walker (S) 2B
5. Wilmer Flores (R) 1B
6. Asdrubal Cabrera (S) SS
7. Juan Lagares (R) CF
8. Kevin Plawecki (R) C
9. Logan Verrett (R) P

SP: Logan Verrett RHP (0-0, 9.00 ERA)

Today’s game can be seen on SNY & MLB Network

Game Notes:

The Miami Marlins (3-3) defeated the New York Mets (2-5) this evening by the final score of 2-1. For a full boxscore recap follow the link below…

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2016_04_12_miamlb_nynmlb_1#game=2016_04_12_miamlb_nynmlb_1,game_tab=box,game_state=Wrapup

Game notes:

• Noah Syndergaard was absolutely dominant tonight pitching 7 innings and striking out 12. He only allowed 1 run on 7 hits with 1 walk.
• Lucas Duda drove in the Mets only run tonight with an RBI single in the bottom of the 1st.
• Curtis Granderson was 1-3 with a double and a run scored. He also struck out twice. Granderson is hitting a paltry .074 thus far.
• Jim Henderson was charged with the Marlins go-ahead run in the top of the 8th. Jerry Blevins relieved Henderson after he loaded the bases, and Martin Prado drove in the game deciding run on a sacrifice fly off Blevins.
• The Mets left 7 on-base tonight and were 1 for 5 with runners in scoring position.
• Noah Syndergaard’s 21 K’s are tied for most through 2 outings to start a season. He is tied with Pedro Martinez and Dwight Gooden.
• Rafael Montero was activated immediately after the game and Eric Campbell was demoted to AAA according to Adam Rubin of ESPN New York.

It was more of the same story tonight as it has been over the past four nights with the Mets, as the bats again fell silent. Granted the Mets were facing one of the best pitchers in baseball, in Jose Fernandez but they had him on the ropes early on in the game. However the Mets could not convert those opportunities into runs, as they only scored one off of him tonight. Noah Syndergaard was absolutely filthy tonight as he carved through the Marlins lineup tonight with ease. It’s a shame that Syndergaard did not get the win but I’m expecting he’ll have a few more performances like tonight’s later on this season. The Mets have a quick turnaround with a game tomorrow afternoon so hopefully the players aren’t too down on themselves, and they can salvage at least one game of this series and avoid the sweep. 

• The Mets will look to avoid a sweep as they play the Marlins in the series finale tomorrow afternoon with first pitch scheduled for 1:10 pm et. The game can be seen on SNY and MLB Network.

• Logan Verrett (0-0, 9.00 ERA) will get the nod tomorrow afternoon in place of Jacob deGrom for the Mets. Verrett will oppose Marlins lefty Adam Conley (0-0, 27.00 ERA). Conley is the first southpaw the Mets will have faced this season.