Mandatory Credit: John Leyba-USA TODAY Sports
The New York Mets (28-15) completed their three-game series in Colorado Sunday afternoon against the Rockies (19-21). In what was a pitcher’s duel between Taijuan Walker and Austin Gomber at Coors Field, the Mets emerged victorious, 2-0. With the win, New York improved to 14-1 after a loss. They have only also loss one series this season. They’ve won 12 and split one.
As mentioned above, the game was a pitcher’s duel. The first five innings each team was held scoreless with the Rockies only tallying three hits. New York, meanwhile, had four hits but stranded a runner on base in three consecutive innings. The first run was not scored until the sixth inning.
Brandon Nimmo lined a base hit to right field. Randal Grichuk misplayed the ball allowing Nimmo to advance all the way to third base. Francisco Lindor then lined his second hit of the game through the infield. Jeff McNeil followed that with a bloop double and Pete Alonso plated the last Met run of the inning via a ground out. New York led 2-0 after six innings.
Walker was entrusted to pitch the seventh inning, and after a rocky beginning, it proved to be the right choice. The first two Rockies reached base via singles. José Iglesias then grounded into a double play. The last out of the inning came after Luis Guillorme, whose playing fantastic all-around baseball, flagged down a 95 MPH ground ball that had an xBA of .520.
Walker ended his day after this seventh inning. He threw 97 pitches and only allowed five hits. He only walked two and struck out six. Walker’s season ERA is down to 2.70. His continued success would be huge for a team whose starting pitchers are currently ailing.
Adam Ottavino got himself in some trouble in the eighth inning. He walked two batters which brought C.J. Cron – who has been one of the best all-around hitters in the National League this season – to the plate. He got Cron swinging and Joely Rodríguez came into the game to face the lefty Ryan McMahon. It only took Rodríguez one pitch to get McMahon to bloop out to Guillorme at third base.
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Edwin Díaz entered in an attempt to shut the door in the ninth inning. He struck out the first batter before allowing a one-out hit. He then struck out Iglesias and got Brian Servin to fly out to right field. That was Díaz’s 10th save of the season.
Walker and the bullpen (Ottavino, Rodríguez, and Díaz) were terrific. They tossed the shutout and allowed only six hits at a ballpark, that before last night, saw the home team score at least two or more runs in 84 straight games. The second longest streak in league history. This is also the second time the Mets have shutout the Rockies at Coors Field in team history.
Walker was superb at a ballpark where most pitchers usually are not. He went seven innings and only allowed five hits. As mentioned above, his season ERA is now a splendid 2.70. With Jacob deGrom, Max Scherzer, and Tylor Megill all sidelined for the foreseeable future, Walker’s success is imperative to the Mets’ success.
Walker’s final line: 7.0 IP, 5 H, 2 BB, 6 SO, 97 pitches
The New York Mets will finish up their west coast trip with a visit to San Francisco and Oracle Park for a three-game series beginning tomorrow. Game one against the Giants is tomorrow night at 9:45 P.M. ET. David Peterson is projected to start for the Mets, while Alex Cobb (5.61 ERA) is the probable pitcher for San Francisco.
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