Just Mets

The Mets won for the seventh consecutive game on Saturday, shutting out the Marlins by the score of 5-4 at Citi Field. Here are my takeaways from tonight’s win…

The Mets have created an expectation they’ll win everyday.

And, that’s a really, really good thing.They’re firing on all cylinders right now, getting quality starts from mostly everyone, the bullpen has been mostly lights out, and the offense is clicking despite Wright being out and Curtis Granderson and Daniel Murphy still trying to find their way.

deGreat deGrom.

DeGrom had to battle two long defensive reviews and a boneheaded play by Daniel Murphy, yet he still managed to keep Miami off the board for seven innings.

He was living up in the zone for most of the night once again, but his tailing fastball was filthy, and he off-set that with a great change-up down in the zone, successfully changing the eye level of the hitters. He also did a nice job pitching Giancarlo Stanton in, and he actually struck him out in a big spot in the sixth inning with runners on first and second and one out. Jake didn’t walk anyone tonight which helped him battle some of the adversity, but that doesn’t subtract from yet another fantastic night for the sophomore.

He’s great. He’s a bulldog, and he’s fearless. He’s the quieter ace of the staff, and he’s off to a great start so far in 2015.

Wilmer Flores has come alive at the plate.

And, boy, did he need this to happen. He homered again today, giving him two home runs and five RBI in the first three games of this series. It seems like the light has gone on for Flores since Terry Collins sat him on Wednesday for Ruben Tejada. A little threat or true competition can never hurt, especially for a guy who probably is on a leash early on in the season.

Whatever the case is, things seemed to have turned around for the kid, and it’s great to see.

The Lucas Duda saga continued on Saturday.

If there was any doubt coming into the season Duda wouldn’t be a force for the Mets in 2015, he’s put that to bed. He extended his hitting streak to five consecutive games, during which six of his nine hits have gone for extra bases – he doubled tonight to give him his sixth double during this stretch.

He downplays his performance because it’s a small sample, and I get it. But small samples build and/or maintain confidence when things go well, and it’s been well documented how important confidence is for Duda. I’m willing to bet this has helped at least reassure him, and his manager and GM as well.

Can of soup.

Eric Campbell should have probably been here since day one, but better late than never. He has an RBI in each of his last three games. He’s taking good at-bats, is constantly making contact, and is right in the middle of all of the scoring for the Mets. He singled the opposite way to plate a run tonight, and has driven in two other runs with sac flies this week.

He’s a nice guy to have around in a utility role, and has filled in for David Wright nicely so far.

A ninth inning adventure.

Carlos Torres opened the ninth inning – it was his fourth appearance in his last six games, and he looked as much tonight. He had no command of his fastball, and was feeling his way through with his curve and cutter, but just couldn’t plug the leak and allowed three runs. He had to give way to Alex Torres with the tying run at first and danger coming up, but he put out the fire and thankfully sealed the deal for New York for his first career big league save.

Given the big lead, I wonder why Terry Collins opted to go with Torres, who could have used a break like Jerry Blevins and Jeurys Familia. Erik Goeddel has been rarely used, and it would’ve been a good opportunity to give him an inning and be a part of what’s going on.

All is well that ends well, but it almost didn’t…

Other notes from Saturday:

DeGrom has now thrown 18 1/3 consecutive scoreless innings, dating back to the two-run home run he allowed to Ryan Zimmerman in his first start of the year. He has thrown at least six innings in each of his last 15 starts.

Michael Cuddyer struck out two more times tonight (he has 17 in 45 at-bats), but he extended his hitting streak to six games with a double in the sixth. He has two doubles, a triple and a home run during his streak – he’s 11-for-25 during this stretch.

Travis d’Arnaud homered in the third inning, giving him five RBI in his last six games.

With the win, the Mets now have a seven-game winning streak, their longest since they won eight in a row from June 10-18, 2010.

The Mets have opened their home schedule 6-0 for the first time since 1985.