The Mets won for the 11th consecutive time, sweeping the Braves by the score of 6-3 on a chilly afternoon at Citi Field. Here are my takeaways from the win…
An ugly win.
This wasn’t the prettiest of victories for the Mets as they’ve had during the winning streak, to say the least. Between the base running mistakes, the walks issued by the Braves, fielding gaffes, the constant interruptions and the reviews, and just general weirdness all around, the Mets had to scratch and claw their way to the win. Fortunately, they found a way to fight these obstacles and get it done.
But, despite the mistakes and the sluggishness on the Mets part, they found a way to overcome and win the game. It’s been a theme for this club over the first 10 percent of the year, and it’s been great to see these character wins mount.
Murphy giveth, Murphy taketh, and Murphy giveth again.
It started off all peaches and cream for Murphy when he drove in three on a bases-clearing double in the first inning. But he himself coughed back two of those runs when he decided to throw home on a roundball which should’ve been a 4-6-3 double play. Instead, everybody was safe, and Colon was backed into a corner. Fortunately, the damage was limited to two, but probably should’ve been no more than one thanks to Murphy’s blunder.
Then in the seventh inning, Murphy delivered an RBI single to plate Cuddyer and extend the Met lead to three runs, which gave them some much needed breathing room.
It was bound to happen, but Murphy really needed the big day at the plate. I could’ve done without his gaffe at second base in the fourth inning, but that’s Murph, and in the end, he got away with it.
Bartolo Colon is amazing, and entertaining.
He deserved much better than the three runs he gave up today. He gave up three runs but probably should’ve only been charged with one. His tailing fastball was outstanding and it helped him to notch three of the five strikeouts he recorded on the afternoon. Once again, he issued no walks – he’s issued only one walk in 26 innings pitched so far in 2015 – and once again did not waver despite getting into big trouble in the fourth inning. He very much earned his fourth win of the year today.
In what was ultimately the last play of his outing, Colon ran down A.J. Pierzynski in the sixth inning as he was attempting to steal second base with two outs. He did it all by himself and did not require an assist, recording what might be the only 1-U of his career. There’s never an outing from Colon which doesn’t have some sort of entertainment tied to it, and today was no exception.
11 wins in a row, and a perfect 10 on the homestand.
Unbelievable. They’ve matched the mark set by the 1986 Mets for the best start in franchise history, doing it all against division opponents. They have been shaken, but they have not cracked despite having faced so much adversity. This is a team rich with character and cohesiveness, and full of belief.
The Mets are an inspiring club to watch, as they find ways to win day in and day out and are not phased by anything. They’re must-see TV in Major League Baseball right now – keep this train rolling, boys!
Other notes from Wednesday:
With his single in the seventh inning, Juan Lagares extended his hitting streak to ten games. He has hit in 14 of the first 16 games of the year.
With his single today, Wilmer Flores now has a six-game hitting streak, and is 9-for-23 over that span.
Lucas Duda reached base four times with a single and three walks – he went 3-for-8 with five walks in this series.
Colon became the fourth pitcher over the age of 40 in the last 80 years to start a season 4-0.
Jeurys Familia recorded his eighth save in 11 days this afternoon.
Just Mets 