Mandatory Credit: John Jones-USA TODAY Sports
What started off as such a big week for the New York Mets ended with one of their more frustrating losses of the season on Sunday afternoon.
The Mets opened things up taking two out of three from the red-hot Milwaukee Brewers. Youngster Tylor Megill continued his success, carrying the Mets to a series opening 4-2 win on Monday night.
After a rainout on Tuesday, the Mets again split a doubleheader to take the series win. Late-inning heroics from Jose Peraza and Jeff McNeil bailed Edwin Diaz out in Game 1 on Wednesday afternoon.
The Mets bats were then stymied by Brett Anderson and the Brewers bullpen in 5-0 loss in Game 2. They bounced back in a big way, defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates 13-4 behind big nights from Pete Alonso, Francisco Lindor and Jonathan Villar on Friday.
They again split the doubleheader, this time losing the first game and winning the nightcap. Then Sunday afternoon, they dropped the series finale in frustrating fashion as Edwin Diaz blew a save in the ninth and the Pirates took home the 6-5 win.
Despite the frustrating end to the week, the Mets went 4-3 and still sit atop the NL East at the All-Star break.
Francisco Lindor’s first season as a New York Met has been a bit up and down thus far. The shortstop got off to a very slow start at the plate, but has begun to turn things around as of late.
Over the last 44 games of the first-half, Lindor slashed .273/.364/.487 with eight homers, 27 RBI, and 30 runs scored. Lindor has finally started to look much more comfortable at the plate, and a lot more like the players Mets fans have been expecting to see.
He continued that success the past week, hitting .333 with a stellar .462 OBP, 1.081 OPS, two homers, six runs scored, five walks, and seven RBI. One of the two homers was the Mets’ first grand slam of the season in the 13-4 rout of the Pirates.
The other home run was a two-run shot in the Mets’ five run bottom of the first in Sunday’s loss. Lindor broke out a bit at the plate, going 3-for-4 with the homer, two singles, and a walk on the afternoon.
Since Brandon Nimmo returned atop the Mets lineup, the offense has looked like a whole new unit. Nimmo’s presence in the leadoff spot has certainly helped Lindor turn things around at the plate.
On the year, he is now hitting .227 with a .702 OPS, 11 home runs, 11 doubles, a .326 OBP, .702 OPS, 36 RBI, and eight stolen bases. Hopefully the past few weeks have been a sign of things to come, and Lindor has a monster second half for this Mets offense.
Lindor’s Stats for the Week: 7-for-21 (.333), 2 HR, 2 2B, 5 BB, 6 R, 7 RBI, 1.081 OPS
Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Since being called up to the big league team and making his debut on June 23, right-hander Tylor Megill has been massive for the Mets’ starting rotation.
Megill pitched well against the strong Atlanta Braves lineup over his first two big league starts. He continued that success in his next two starts against both the Brewers and Pirates this past week.
Megill opened the week for the Mets, taking the ball on Monday night. The right-hander was solid again, throwing five innings and allowing one run on two hits while striking out seven. His lone blemish on the night was again a long ball, courtesy of catcher Omar Narvaez.
Megill again took the no-decision, but the Mets were able to rally late and then hold on for the 4-2 series opening win. His second start of the week came in Game 2 of the doubleheader on Saturday night against the Pirates.
Pittsburgh drove up Megill’s pitch count early, as he threw 85 pitches over 3.2 innings of work, however he was effective yet again. For the second straight start he struck out seven batters, and allowed just one run on four hits.
Over his first four big leagues starts, Megill has posted a 3.50 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, and has struck out 26 batters while walking just nine. It’ll be interesting to see how the Mets handle things in the rotation when Carlos Carrasco returns because Megill has certainly proven he belongs.
Megill’s Stars for the Week: 2 GS, 2 ER, 6 H, 5 BB, 14 K, 8.2 IP
The post Players of the Week: Megill Continues Shining, Lindor Heats Up first appeared on Metsmerized Online.
