Morning Briefing: Mets Score 10 For Third Straight Game

Good morning, Mets fans! The magic number to clinch a playoff spot is 8!

Mark Vientos and Pete Alonso hit back-to-back homers in the first inning and Brandon Nimmo and Francisco Alvarez also went deep as the Mets opened the last series on the season at Citi Field with a 10-6 victory over the Phillies. The Mets have scored 30 runs over their last three games. For the first time in franchise history, the Mets scored 10 or more runs in three consecutive games.

New York also improved to 4-0 (+24 run differential) since installing a purple Grimace seat in Citi Field.

The Mets will look to score at least 10 runs for a fourth straight game Friday when David Peterson (9-2, 2.85 ERA) faces lefty Cristopher Sanchez (10-9, 3.24 ERA) at 7:10 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast on Apple TV+.

Wild Card Update

The three Wild Card contenders in action Thursday each won and picked up a half-game on the idle Padres. All four teams enter Friday with nine games to go. The Padres (87-66) are two games ahead of the Mets (85-68) and Diamondbacks (85-68), and the Braves (83-70) are two back of the final spot. The Mets hold the tiebreaker over Arizona.

Latest Mets News

Francisco Lindor is “slowly getting better,” manager Carlos Mendoza told reporters before Thursday’s game. The skipper said there was no news on the status of Lindor’s injured back and he didn’t want to put a date on his return. “I think it’s day by day and there’s a chance he plays in this series.”

The Brooklyn Cyclones announced that outfielder Nick Morabito was named to the South Atlantic League All-Star team. The 21-year-old was second in the league in batting (.294), fourth in OBP (.373), third in hits (111) and third in stolen bases (48).

The Mets recognized their Venezuelan players — Luisangel Acuña, Francisco Alvarez, José Buttó and Luis Torrens – and manager Carlos Mendoza — as part of Hispanic Heritage Month.

Latest MLB News

Shohei Ohtani is not like us. He went 6-for-6 with three home runs, 10 RBIs and two steals. Oh, and he became the first member of the 50-50 club in MLB history. The Dodgers edged the Brewers, 20-4.

Ozzie Albies, out since July with a fractured wrist, will return to the Braves’ lineup Friday against the Miami Marlins, per Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Toscano reported that the switch-hitting Albies will only bat from the right side until his left-handed swing feels better.

Bo Bichette was placed on the IL with a fractured right middle finger, ending his season, the Blue Jays announced.

Utility player Charlie Culberson, 35, who last played in July 2023, announced his retirement in an Instagram post. Culberson hit .248 with 30 homers for his career, playing for five teams over 11 seasons.

Latest on MMO

Christian De Block previewed the Mets-Phillies series. He predicted the Mets would take three of four. So far, looking good.

Brandyn Pokrass took an in-depth look at Luisangel Acuña’s hot start.

Ricky Keeler updates with good news from the minors on Drew Gilbert and Jett Williams.

On This Date in Mets History

2019: Rookie Pete Alonso hits his 50th home run off Sal Romano as the Mets beat the Cincinnati Reds 8-1. Jacob deGrom, en route to his second straight Cy Young award, throws seven scoreless, strikes out nine and lowers his ERA to 2.51.

1973: Willie Mays announces his retirement on the Today Show. Later, at a Shea Stadium news conference he said he made the decision “because when you’re 42 and hitting .211, it’s no fun. I just feel that the people of America shouldn’t have to see a guy play who can’t produce.”

Born On This Date: Dennis Ribant (1941), AJ Ramos (1986), Jason Bay (1978), Dave Gallagher (1960).

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