The New York Mets (53-33) concluded their four-game set against the Miami Marlins (41-43) at Citi Field on Sunday afternoon. With the pitching matchup of Sandy Alcántara and Taijuan Walker, it was expected the game could go that of a pitcher’s duel. Coincidentally enough, that is exactly what happened as each threw seven sparkling innings. […]
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Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
The New York Mets (53-33) concluded their four-game set against the Miami Marlins (41-43) at Citi Field on Sunday afternoon. With the pitching matchup of Sandy Alcántara and Taijuan Walker, it was expected the game could go that of a pitcher’s duel. Coincidentally enough, that is exactly what happened as each threw seven sparkling innings. Eventually, it was the Marlins who emerged victorious in the teams’ second straight extra-innings game by thescore of 2-0.
The Marlins’ best chance early in the game against Walker came in the fourth inning. After a hit-by-pitch and base hit, Miami had two men on and no outs. Garrett Cooper then hit a 98.3-MPH ground ball in the vicinity of Francisco Lindor. Lindor made a superb play and tracked it down then turned two. The play helped preserve a scoreless game.
The Mets best chance against Alcántara came in the sixth inning. New York got the first two men on via error and walk. However, Alcántara included a ground-ball double play from Lindor who hit the ball 103 MPH right at the second baseman. The game remained scoreless after six innings.
Much like the fourth inning, the Marlins threatened again in the seventh. The first two batters reached via a single and walk. Walker once again shut the door as he got a fly out, a pop out, and a strikeout. His seventh of the game.
This spelled to end to another terrific pitching performance from Taijuan Walker. He went seven innings and allowed only three hits with one walk and seven strikeouts. Walker threw 99 pitches and matched arguably the best pitcher in baseball this season.
New York would threaten again in the bottom part of the sixth inning. A two-out rally via consecutive singles by Luis Guillorme – which was his third hit of the game against Alcántara – and Eduardo Escobar brought Tomás Nido to the plate. He grounded out to second which kept the game scoreless after seven.
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Edwin Díaz entered a scoreless game in the ninth and did what everyone has grown accustomed to him doing. He struck out two hitters and pitched a 1-2-3 inning. New York was not able to score in the bottom half so for the second day in a row the game went to extra innings.
Buck Showalter opted to go with Tommy Hunter for the 10th inning despite seemingly having some of his better arms rested. During the first at-bat, pinch-runner Billy Hamilton came around and scored after he stole third base and forced an errant Tomás Nido throw. Then Hunter allowed two consecutive two-out hits scoring another run. New York trailed 2-0 going to the bottom half of the inning.
Despite a warning-track fly out by Brandon Nimmo, the Mets went scoreless in the bottom half of the 10th inning stranding two on base. They lost the game 2-0. Next up, a huge series in Atlanta.
Worth noting, despite pitching Saturday, Seth Lugo and Adam Ottavino each did not pitch Friday. It was certainly an interesting decision to see Showalter opt to go with Hunter. Especially given Miami used some starters three days in a row against New York.
Walker once again pitched a fantastic game. He went seven scoreless innings while striking out seven. With all the injuries the Mets’ rotation has faced this season, Walker has duplicated a similar first half of the season he had last season. Taijuan was been instrumental in New York’s success this season. As evident by his 2.63 ERA this season.
The Mets will travel to Atlanta for a huge series against the Braves. New York, who will be very shorthanded due to paternity leave (Jeff McNeil) and a couple injuries (Starling Marte and James McCann), will look to Max Scherzer (2.26 ERA) in game one of the series. He is currently projected to face Atlanta’s ace, Max Fried (2.52 ERA). Game one is slated for 7:20 p.m. ET.
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