Game Recap: Phillies Gaffe Leads To Mets 4-1 Victory In Series Opener

Friday night, the Mets and Philadelphia Phillies opened a three game weekend series.  Making his second start since coming off the DL, Jacob deGrom climbed the hill at Citi Field and was opposed by Philadelphia’s David Buchanan.

Both starters kept their respective opponents scoreless through the first 3 innings.

Travis d’Arnaud then put the Mets on the board in the 4th with a 2-out single that plated David Wright.  Meanwhile, Jacob deGrom kept the Phillies hitless through the first 4 innings, and scoreless through 6 innings.

Aug 29, 2014; New York, NY, USA; Philadelphia Phillies left fielder

(24) drops a pop-fly hit by New York Mets center fielder

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

By the 7th inning, however, deGrom clearly tired, and by his 100th pitch of the evening Philadelphia had tied the score at one.  But Philadelphia stumbled in the bottom of the frame.  Grady Sizemore dropped a shallow fly which allowed the Mets to score a pair of (unearned) runs.  The Mets then executed a double steal to take a 4-1 lead.

Jenrry Mejia pitched a scoreless 9th inning to close out the victory.

Mets Starting Lineup:

1) Juan Lagares-CF; 2) Curtis Granderson-RF; 3) David Wright-3B; 4) Lucas Duda-1B; 5) Travis d’Arnaud-C; 6) Matt den Dekker-LF; 7) Dilson Herrera-2B; 8) Wilmer Flores-SS; 9) Jacob deGrom-SP.

Game Recap:

Jacob deGrom‘s first pitch of the ball game to lead-off batter Ben Revere was a fastball taken high for ball one.  The Phillies were then retired in order.

David Buchanan‘s first pitch of the evening to lead-off batter Juan Lagares was a fastball taken for strike one.  Lagares then stroked the Mets first hit of the evening.

Jacob deGrom retired the Phillies in order in the 2nd.

With 1-out in the home 2nd and Matt den Dekker on first (walk), Dilson Herrera stepped to the plate for his first MLB at-bat and grounded the first pitch from Buchanan to short for a 6-4-3 double play.

With 1-out in the top of the 3rd, deGrom issued his first base on balls to third baseman Cody Asche.

• Through 3 innings, Jacob deGrom faced 10 batters, and threw 45 pitches with 30 (66%) going for strikes.  He allowed no hits, walked one, and fanned 2 batters.  He averaged 15 pitches per inning.

The Mets went down in order in the bottom of the 3rd.

Jacob deGrom retired the Phillies in order once again in the top of the 4th.

With 1-out in the bottom of the 4th, David Wright singled sharply to center, and advanced to second on Lucas Duda‘s 1-3 put-out.  Travis d’Arnaud then stepped in with 2-outs and singled over the shortstop’s head.  David Wright scored to open the scoring.

Leading off the top of the 5th, Marlon Byrd reached when Jacob deGrom issued his second walk of the game.  Grady Sizemore then got the Phillies first hit.  With two on and no outs, deGrom fanned Carlos Ruiz and Cody Asche.  David Buchanan then bounced into a force play at third to end Philly’s threat.

With 1-out in the bottom of the 5th, Wilmer Flores legged out a double that bounced off the third base bag.  However, he was left stranded.

Chase Utley singled with 2-outs in the 6th.  Jacob deGrom then caught Ryan Howard looking at a fastball for strike three.

• Through 6 full innings of work, Jacob deGrom faced 21 batters, and was up to 87 pitches with 58 (66%) going for strikes.  He was averaging 14.5 pitches per inning.  He allowed no runs on just 2 hits and a pair of walks, and fanned 5 batters.

Marlon Byrd led-off the top of the 7th with a sharply hit single (the Phillies third hit).  Grady Sizemore grounded to first base, but Lucas Duda‘s lead throw to second pulled Wilmer Flores off the bag.  All runners were safe.  Duda was charged with an E-3.  Carlos Ruiz then popped up Jacob deGrom’s 100th pitch of the evening for an important first out.  However, the next batter, Cody Asche just barely singled beyond the reach of Flores at short.  Marlon Byrd scored from second base (unearned) to tie the game at one.  Pinch hitter Domonic Brown then bounced into a 1-6-3 double play to end the threat.

Jake Diekman entered the game in relief of David Buchanan in the bottom of the 7th.  With 1-out, Matt den Dekker drew a walk, then stole second.  With 2-outs, Wilmer Flores was hit by a pitch.  Pinch hitter Eric Campbell then drew a walk to load the bases.

Justin De Fratus entered the game in relief of Jake Diekman.  Juan Lagares then popped up to shallow left/center field.  The ball was dropped by left fielder Grady Sizemore.  Matt den Dekker and Flores both scored on the play.  Campbell advanced to third, and Lagares remained at first.  The Mets then pulled off a double-steal.  Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz threw down to second.  Eric Campbell beat Jimmy Rollins‘ return throw home.  In all, the Mets scored 3 unearned runs to take a 4-1 lead.

Jeurys Familia entered the game in relief of Jacob deGrom in the top of the 8th inning.

• Jacob deGrom’s line: 7 innings pitched, allowed 1 run/none earned, on 4 hits and 2 walks.  He fanned 5 batters.  Jacob threw 103 pitches with 70 (67.9%) going for strikes.  He lowered his ERA from 3.13 to a 2.94 mark.  He improved his record to 7-6.

Mario Hollands entered the game in relief of Justin De Fratus in the bottom of the 8th.

Jenrry Mejia pitched a scoreless 9th inning and earned his 20th save of the season.  Jacob deGrom earned his 7th victory of the season.

Mets win by a 4-1 final.

Scoring Summary:

• Bottom 4th inning – With 1-out, David Wright singled and advanced to second on Lucas Duda‘s 1-3 put-out.  With 2-outs, Travis d’Arnaud singled home Wright.

• Top 7th inning – Marlon Byrd hit a lead-off single.  Grady Sizemore reached on an E-3.  With 1-out, Cody Asche singled to score Byrd from second, and tie the score at one.

• Bottom 7th inning – Matt den Dekker reached with a 1-out single, and stole second.  With 2-outs, Wilmer Flores was HBP.  Pinch hitter Eric Campbell walked.  Left fielder Grady Sizemore dropped Juan Lagares‘ pop fly to shallow left.  Two runs scored.  With Eric Campbell on third and Lagares on first, Mets successfully pull off a double steal.  Campbell scored.

• Final Score: Phillies 1; METS 4

Highlights:

• Second baseman Dilson Herrera, 20, made his major league debut.  He is the 7th youngest in Mets history to make his MLB debut and is currently the youngest player in the majors.  He recorded his first defensive assist in the 2nd inning.  Overall, he played a very smooth second base.  Despite being listed at 150lbs. and going 0 for 3 with a strikeout, he in no way looked over-matched at the plate.  He grounded out (DP), struck out in his second at-bat but fouled several pitches, deep, and lined sharply to second in his third at-bat.  *(I spoke too soon.  He committed an error in the 9th inning.  I forgive him.)

• Jacob deGrom was marvelous.  After the game, Travis d’Arnaud said (via SNY) that deGrom did not have his best stuff.  His stuff was cool with me.  His key moment came in the 5th when he fanned Carlos Ruiz and Cody Asche with 2 on and no outs.

• Eric Campbell stole home.  How about that!

• This game: Juan Lagares, Travis d’Arnaud, Matt den Dekker, Dilson Herrera, Wilmer Flores, Eric Campbell, Jacob deGrom, and the elders (?) Lucas Duda, Jeurys Familia, and Jenrry Mejia.  Smell the future!

• Sorry, here’s the bad news (again): The Mets made 28 official trips to the plate with 3 walks.  They were limited to 4 hits yet again, but only fanned 4 times.  They have been limited to 14 hits in their last 3 games.  They managed one (fluke) extra base hit this evening.

Next:

8/30 Saturday, 7:10pm – Phillies @ METS

Jerome Williams (4-5) vs. Bartolo Colon (12-10)