Game Recap: Travis d’Arnaud’s 9th Inning Hit Bails Out Mets In 5-4 Victory Over Padres

On Friday evening, the Mets began the second-half of the regular season with the first of a three game series in San Diego against the Padres.  Bartolo Colon climbed the hill and was opposed by San Diego’s Ian Kennedy.

The visiting Mets jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead in the opening frame, and added another run in the 3rd.  In the 5th inning however, the Padres struck for 4 runs on 4 hits to tie the game.  Both starting pitchers were relieved after 5 innings of work, with each earning a no-decision.

Jun 29, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; A general view of the Kids Fest area in The Park at the Park beyond center field at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

After fine relief efforts turned in by Dana Eveland and Jeurys Familia, Travis d’Arnaud stroked a clutch two-out base hit in the 9th to drive in the go-ahead run.  In the bottom of the frame, Jenrry Mejia sealed a 5-4 victory with his 11th save of the season.

Mets Starting Lineup:

1) Curtis Granderson-RF; 2) Daniel Murphy-2B; 3) David Wright-3B; 4) Lucas Duda-1B; 5) Travis d’Arnaud-C; 6) Kirk Nieuwenhuis-LF; 7) Juan Lagares-CF; 8) Ruben Tejada-SS; 9) Bartolo Colon-SP

Game Recap:

The Mets promptly opened the scoring with 3 hits and 3 runs off starter Ian Kennedy.  Curtis Granderson led-off the game with a base hit.  Travis d’Arnaud soon drove in the game’s first run with a single to score Granderson.  Juan Lagares’ two out hit then gave the Mets an early 3-0 lead.

Lucas Duda led-off the 3rd with a double, and later scored on Kirk Nieuwenhuis’ fielder’s choice to give the Mets a 4-0 lead.

Bartolo Colon retired his first 7 batters faced before allowing a single in the 3rd to Alexi Amarista.  Colon then retired the Padres in order again in the 4th.  But things went awry for Colon in the 5th inning.  In fact, San Diego broke a string of 25 scoreless innings with 4 runs to tie the game.

Colon completed 5 innings of work, allowed 4 earned runs on 5 total hits, walked one and fanned 6 batters before departing the game.  He threw 86 pitches, with 58 (67%) going for strikes.

In the home 7th inning, Kirk Nieuwenhuis made a big play from left field to throw out shortstop Alexi Armarista attempting to stretch a lead-off single into a double.

Dana Eveland turned in 2 scoreless innings in relief of Bartolo Colon.

In the top of the 8th, Ruben Tejada was stranded at second base after hitting a two out double.

Reliever Jeurys Familia pitched a scoreless 8th inning.

Curtis Granderson drew a walk to lead-off the top of the 9th.  Ground outs by Daniel Murphy and David Wright advanced Granderson to third.  Lucas Duda was intentionally walked.  Travis d’Arnaud then followed with his third hit of the evening to score Granderson from third.

Jenrry Mejia pitched the 9th, and earned his 11th save of the season, however, not before Daniel Murphy committed what could have resulted in a costly throwing error.  No harm resulted as the Mets begin the second half with a victory, and improve their record to a 46-50 mark.

Jeurys Familia was credited with the win.

Scoring Summary:

• Top 1st inning – Curtis Granderson hit a lead-off single.  With two outs, Lucas Duda was hit by a pitch.  Travis d’Arnaud’s single scored Granderson.  Kirk Nieuwenhuis drew a walk to load the bases.  Juan Lagares‘ single to center scored Duda and d’Arnaud to give the Mets a 3-0 lead.

• Top 3rd inning – Lucas Duda led-off with a double.  Travis d’Arnaud singled.  Kirk Nieuwenhuis’ fielder’s choice to second base scored Duda for a 4-0 Mets lead.

• Bottom 5th inning – Will Venable hit a lead-off single.  Jake Goebbert drew a walk.  After a successful double steal, Chris Nelson‘s single scored Venable and moved Goebbert to third.  Alexi Amarista‘s single scored Goebbert and moved Nelson to second.  With two outs and runners on second and third,  Chase Headley‘s singled scored both Amarista and Nelson to tie the game at four.

• Top 9th inning – Curtis Granderson drew a lead-off walk, and moved to third on consecutive ground ball outs.  Lucas Duda was intentially walked.  Travis d’Arnaud singled to plate Granderson with the go-ahead run.

• Final Score – Mets 5; PADRES 4

Highlights:

• Still serving in the lead-off role, Curtis Granderson was 2 for 4 with a walk, a stolen base, and 2 runs scored.

• Travis d’Arnaud’s surge continues.  He was 3 for 5 with a run scored and 2 RBI (to include the game winner).  He is hitting .318 since being recalled from Las Vegas.

• SNY Stat – The Mets were 7 for their last 52 entering Friday’s game with two outs and runners in scoring position.  In Friday’s opener against the Padres, the Mets were 3 for 3 capped off by Travis d’Arnaud’s game winning RBI single in the top of the 9th.

• Daniel Murphy should have eaten a grounder in the 9th, but instead threw an errant ball to first.  Otherwise, the Mets continued their fine defensive play of late.  Juan Lagares provided yet another highlight play in the 8th.

• The Mets had 8 hits and drew 6 walks.  They left 10 men on base, but were a gamely 4 for 12 with runners in scoring position.

• The Mets have now won 4 straight, 8 of their last 9 games, and improved to 9-4 for the month of July.

Next:

7/19 Saturday, 8:40pm (EST) – Mets @ PADRES

Dillon Gee (4-1) vs. Tyson Ross (7-10)