9/8 Game Recap: Mets Avoid Sweep, Top Tribe 2-1

The Mets went into today’s game against the Indians at Progressive Field hoping to avoid a sweep. They did just that, in a long, but entertaining game. The Mets took an early 1-0 lead on a home run by Justin Turner in the top of the 4th. Daisuke Matsuzaka did a fine job of holding the Indians at bay, in clearly his best start as a Met. Matsuzaka pitched 5.2 innings and was charged with 1 earned run. He struck out 6 and walked 3, while allowing 3 hits. The Indians tied the game in the bottom of the sixth, when Vic Black relieved Matsuzaka and hit Asdrubal Cabrera with a pitch with the bases loaded. The game remained tied until the 9th, when Eric Young Junior ripped a two-out double with Matt den Dekker on second to score the go-ahead run. LaTroy Hawkins worked around a lead off hit in the top of the 9th to earn the save, and put the game in the win column for New York.

Aug 28, 2013; New York, NY, USA; New York Mets left fielder

Jr. (22) catches a fly ball by Philadelphia Phillies left fielder

(not pictured) during the seventh inning of a game at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Thoughts:

• How valuable has Eric Young Junior been? He’s not the perfect player nor the perfect lead off hitter, but when you consider that the Mets got him for Collin McHugh, the return on investment is staggering. Young was 2-4 on the day with a walk.
• The Mets blew a golden chance in the top of the 8th, when they had second and third with no outs. However, Josh Satin grounded out, Justin Turner struck out, and Juan Lagares grounded out on a nice play by Nick Swisher at first.
• Frank Francisco, yes, Frank Francisco, came in the game in the 8th. The Indians had runners on second and third with one out. Francisco walked the first hitter he faced, but then induced Asdrubal Cabrera to hit into an inning-ending double play on a nice splitter.
• Matsuzaka, though he’s tough to watch, had everything going today. He moved his fastball up and down, and had an excellent curve. If this is an audition, Matsuzaka took a step toward changing the first impressions of him, which have been awful.
• Matt den Dekker has been impressive since his call up. He led off the 9th with a single and scored the winning run, in addition to playing solid CF defense.
• Anthony Recker sacrificed den Dekker to second in the 9th. This is important, as fundamentals are not always a “given” on this team.
• Justin Turner had words for former Met Joe Smith when he struck out in the 8th. The situation did not escalate.

Up Next:

The Mets welcome the Nationals to Citi for 4 games beginning Monday night, when Carlos Torres faces Gio Gonzalez.

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