Led By Offense, Mets Avoid Sweep In Miami Via 7-3 Victory
The New York Mets (21-24) entered Sunday’s contest with the Miami Marlins hoping to avoid getting swept for the third time, in a three-game series, this season. After a demoralizing loss on Saturday, the Mets bounced back on Sunday afternoon at loanDepot Park in Miami earning a 7-3 decision. Led by two big innings, and just enough out of the bullpen, the Mets were able to get it done.
Sixto Sánchez got the start for the Marlins and struggled mightily the first two innings. Coincidentally enough, all of the Mets’ runs came in two different innings; the first and the ninth. In the first inning, after a couple walks, and a single by DJ Stewart, Tyrone Taylor missed a grand slam by mere feet, scoring two runs. Harrison Bader also came in clutch with the bases loaded, this time with two outs, scoring two more.
After that, Sánchez settled in and tossed four innings. New York were unable to push anymore runs across the plate despite generating some action on the basepathes until the ninth inning. Brandon Nimmo netted the Mets some insurance after he took Anthony Bender deep. Brett Baty added one more run in the ninth via a run-scoring single.
Brandon Nimmo, Francisco Lindor. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports
The Mets’ offense was sensational for a second-straight game despite being without their hottest offensive player, J.D. Martinez who was sidelined with an illness. Francisco Lindor, Tyrone Taylor, and Harrison Bader all had multiple hits while every starter in the lineup posted at least one knock. Finally, after posting strong expected analytics all season long, the offense is experiencing some positive “regression.”
On the mound for New York, Sean Manaea made another start, turning in five decent innings. The length wasn’t there, but he held a Marlins lineup that was in a groove entering the game. Manaea’s final line read five innings pitched; five hits, two runs, one walk, and four strikeouts. The only blemish was a two-run home run he allowed in the second inning. He has a 3.11 ERA on the season after his appearance Sunday.
The bullpen bounced back with the only negative being a solo home run in the seventh inning off Jake Diekman. Reed Garrett also bounced back after four hits and one run over his last two appearances, notching a six-out save. Garrett struck out four allowing only one hit during his two innings of work.
As seemingly has happened a decent amount this season, the Mets found a way to lose a game they should have won (Saturday), before salvaging a game in the series finale. With the win, they improve to four games under .500 at 21-24 and are still very close to the last Wild Card spot.
Statistic of the Game: 16 Runs, 27 Hits Over Two Games
The Mets ran out a lineup that included Francisco Lindor leading off and Pete Alonso in the two-hole for the second-straight game on Sunday. Combined, the Mets have tallied 16 runs and 27 hits since those changes were made. It is an extremely small sample size and against a team that has struggled big-time this season. However, maybe this is finally good signs for an offense which has underperformed relative to their expected analytics thus far this season.
Tyrone Taylor. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Player of the Game: Tyrone Taylor
Taylor got the start in left field and delivered two important hits in New York’s Sunday victory. In the first inning, he hit a ball 400 feet to straightaway centerfield with the bases loaded, registering a two-run double for his effort. He also tallied a single which led to another run in the ninth inning.
Taylor has been a strong piece off the bench for the Mets this year. His 16 RBIs rank fourth on the team.
On Deck
The Mets are right back in action on Monday as they travel to Cleveland to face-off against the red-hot Guardians. Game one is slated for a 6:10 pm ET first pitch with the probable pitching matchup being Tylor Megill versus Ben Lively.
