5/30 Game Recap: Mets Edge Yanks 3-1, Sweep Season Series

Tonight at Yankee Stadium, the Mets got immediately going when Justin Turner, at 1st base tonight with the lefty Vidal Nuno on the mound for the Yankees, led off with a hit it over third base. Daniel Murphy popped up in foul territory for the 1st out, with catcher Austin Romine grabbing it right over Terry Collins‘ head. Wright followed with a shallow fly to center, and John Buck struck out, stranding Turner at 2nd.

May 30, 2013; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher

(35) pitches against the New York Yankees during the second inning of a game at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Dillon Gee, whose spot in the rotation is in jeopardy with the potential for Zack Wheeler‘s callup being sooner rather than later, was hard hit by the first 2 hitters, Brett Gardner and Robinson Cano. Much like the Mets in their 1st frame, however, the Yankees stranded the early opportunity, as Gee did a great job working out of trouble with a couple strikeouts and a tapper back to the mound.

Lucas Duda opened the 2nd inning with a 4-pitch walk, giving Marlon Byrd an opportunity with a runner on. He did more than deliver, hitting an 0-2 pitch deep into the seats in left field for a 2-0 Mets lead and his 6th home run of the year. Anthony Recker, making a rare start, drove one down the right field line for an extra-base hit. Though he made it over to 3rd on a sac fly to right, he was stranded, and the Mets had to settle on only the Byrd being the Word in the 2nd.

Brennan Boesch led off the bottom half of the 2nd with a line drive single to center.  Gee and the Mets were in position to turn a double play when David Adams hit one directly at Omar Quintanilla, which was his first chance since being called up after Ruben Tejada was placed on the DL.  The ball took a bounce, however, and Quintanilla just missed it as it went through his legs.  It was clear early, though, that that Dillon Gee‘s changeup was working.  He used it to strike out Reid Brignac before getting Austin Romine to ground into an inning ending 5-5-3 double play.

After Gee gave up a solo homer to Robinson Cano in the 3rd, both he and Nuno settled down, pitching well in the middle innings.  Vidal Nuno went 6 innings, giving up 2 runs on 3 hits and 2 walks.

The Mets expanded their lead to 2 runs in the 8th, on an infield single from John Buck.  That 2 run lead turned out to be enough, as the Mets went on to win 3-1 and sweep the season series from the Yankees.

Highlights:

• Dillon Gee was incredible tonight.  He went 7.1 innings, allowing 1 run on 4 hits.  He walked none and struck out a career high 12.  Gee was removed with one out and no one on in the 8th, having retired 15 in a row (the last 5 via strikeout).  He threw 88 pitches.

• Marlon Byrd hit a long 2 run homer in the 2nd.

• John Buck drove in a run with an infield single in the 8th.

• Scott Rice relieved Gee in the 8th and retired both hitters he faced.

• Bobby Parnell retired the side in order in the 9th.

• Mets pitchers combined to retire the last 20 Yankee hitters.

Thoughts:

Dillon Gee was absolutely brilliant tonight, Scott Rice came in (again) and did his job (again), and Bobby Parnell had a flawless ninth to record the save.  The last five games have been great, and tonight’s win gave the Mets their first ever season sweep against the Yankees.  The Subway Series isn’t the novelty it once was, but the Mets winning all four games against the Yankees is extremely sweet.  Any Yankee fan who claims they’re not livid is lying.  Let’s Go Mets.

Next Up:

The Mets travel to Miami to open a three game series with the Marlins tomorrow night.  Shaun Marcum will be on the hill for New York.  He’ll be opposed by Jacob Turner.

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