Morning Briefing: Mets Jump Back in Front of Braves

Good morning, Mets fans!

Tylor Megill allowed just one hit, striking out nine and retiring the last 16 batters he faced over six innings, and the Mets scored two runs on a wild pitch and a passed ball to earn a 3-2 win in their series opener against the Blue Jays. Edwin Dîaz recorded his 17th save of the season, getting Leo Jimenez to fly out to the warning track in right field to end the game.

Meanwhile in Atlanta, Ty France hit an RBI double in the top of the second inning, and Nick Martinez threw seven shutout innings as the Reds downed the Braves, 1-0. Matt Olson collected Atlanta’s only two hits on the night. The Mets now lead the Braves by a game for the final NL Wild Card spot. With the Diamondbacks and Padres both off on Monday, the Mets trail Arizona by a game and San Diego by 1.5 games.

Latest Mets News

David Peterson (9-1, 2.75 ERA) will look to keep his hot stretch going against former Met Chris Bassitt (9-13, 4.30 ERA) in the second game of the series this evening. Peterson has worked at least six innings in each of his last six starts. First pitch is scheduled for 7:07 p.m.

Mets Hall of Famer Ed Kranepool passed away on Monday at the age of 79. The Mets’ all-time leader in games played, Kranepool debuted with the team as a 17-year-old in 1962 after he was signed as an amateur free agent out of James Monroe High School in the Bronx. Kranepool was an All-Star in 1965 and a World Series champion in 1969, homering in a Game 3 victory. After his career, Kranepool was an active member of the community, and despite his health issues, was on hand for the team’s 50th anniversary celebration of the 1969 Mets in 2019 and Old Timers Day in 2022.

Carlos Mendoza said that Paul Blackburn was scratched from his start Monday because he experienced lower back discomfort after his rehab start. Blackburn will no longer pitch in the series in Toronto and will get imaging if there’s no improvement.

Before Monday’s game, the Mets acquired utilityman Eddy Alvarez from the Red Sox and designated Pablo Reyes for assignment. One of six athletes to medal at both the Winter and summer Olympics, Alvarez pinch-ran for Francisco Alvarez and scored the game-winning run on Monday.

Mets pitching prospect Jonah Tong was named the Eastern League Pitcher of the Week for his dominant outing in his debut for Double-A Binghamton. Tong tossed six hitless innings, allowing no walks and striking out nine.

In an interview for the Terry Collins Show, Noah Syndergaard said he’d love to pitch for the Mets again someday, speaking highly of Mets fans and the city. Syndergaard missed much of his last two seasons in New York while recovering from Tommy John surgery.

Francisco Lindor is the Mets’ nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award. Among Lindor’s efforts are his campaign to provide free backpacks for local students and a cleanup of Wilderness Beach in Puerto Rico.

Dan Szymborski of Fangraphs wrote about how Lindor is already cementing himself as a future Hall of Famer. Szymborski’s model projects Lindor to finish his career as the sixth-best shortstop of all time in terms of JAWS.

In an interview with Laura Albanese of Newsday, Sean Manaea spoke about how lowering his arm slot has made his fastball more effective. Manaea said that with a lower release point, his fastball is more deceptive, which makes it easier to attack hitters with it.

Latest MLB News

Actor James Earl Jones passed away Monday at the age of 93. Best known for his work as Darth Vader and Mufasa, Jones played Terence Mann in “Field of Dreams” and was Mr. Mertle in “The Sandlot.”

The Rangers are calling up Kumar Rocker for his major league debut, which will take place on Thursday against the Mariners. Rocker has dominated the minor leagues since returning from Tommy John surgery, allowing just three earned runs and striking out 47 batters against four walks in 29 2/3 innings between Double-A and Triple-A.

Latest on MMO

Tyler Antonelle recaps the Mets’ win in their series opener against the Blue Jays.

Andrew Steele-Davis looks at the highs and lows of the series against the Reds in the latest 3 Up, 3 Down.

Johnluke Chaparro breaks down Luis Severino‘s strong start on Sunday.

Matt Lazzaro examines the strong weeks of Mark Vientos and Luis Severino, who are the MMO Players of the Week.

On This Date in Mets History

1969: The Mets sweep a doubleheader against the Expos at Shea Stadium to take over first place in the NL East for the first time in franchise history. In the first game, Jim McAndrew duels with Mike Wegener for 11 innings before Ken Boswell hits a walk-off single in the bottom of the 12th inning to win 3-2. The nightcap doesn’t feature nearly as much drama, with the Mets scoring six runs in the third inning of a 7-1 victory and Nolan Ryan striking out 11 in a complete game.

2008: Jose Reyes swipes two bases to become the Mets’ franchise leader in stolen bases with 283, passing Mookie Wilson. David Wright goes 4-for-4 and finishes a triple shy of the cycle as the Mets outslug the Nationals, 13-10.

2015: Kevin Plawecki and Juan Uribe both drive in three runs, and Bartolo Colon holds the Braves to two runs over 6 2/3 innings as the Mets win their fourth straight game, 7-2. With the win, the Mets now have a 7.5-game lead in the NL East.

Born On This Date: Andrew Brown (1984), Neil Walker (1985), Anthony Swarzak (1985), Phillip Evans (1992).

The post Morning Briefing: Mets Jump Back in Front of Braves appeared first on Metsmerized Online.