Just Mets

The Mets defeated the Orioles 5-2 on Wednesday night, sweeping Baltimore in their two-game series. Here are my takeaways from the win…

The real Jacob deGrom is back.

After back-to-back un-deGrom-like starts against the Yankees and Nationals, the real Jacob deGrom returned to Flushing on Wednesday night. He may not have had his best stuff tonight, but deGrom’s B-stuff is still a lot better than most. For a majority of the night, deGrom was in total control as he allowed one earned run, six hits and one walk while striking out nine over seven innings.

The spot that impressed me most was the top of the 5th. After a two-out RBI single by Jimmy Paredes pulled the O’s to within two runs, deGrom walked Adam Jones to load the bases. With the big-time slugger Chris Davis up at the plate–and ahead 2-0 in the count–deGrom could’ve easily folded, but he buckled down and struck out Davis on an up and away fastball.

Left-handed hitters, who have given deGrom trouble all season, went 4-for-17 against the righty tonight. With the win, Jacob improves to 3-3 on the season with a 2.95 ERA.

“Dilsonnnnnnnnn!”

How about Dilson Herrera tonight? The 21-year-old second baseman was tearing up Triple-A prior to his call-up, but started a mere 1-for-13 at the plate with the big club–the one hit coming on an infield single. Those small-sample-size-woes were certainly put to rest tonight, as Herrera went 3-for-3 at the plate with a home run and three RBI. I’m not sure how long Herrera will be up with the big club as David Wright‘s return grows closer, but it’s great to the young guy succeed at this level, as well as getting to see a glimpse into the near-future.

The Mets picked themselves back up.

After an 11-game winning streak, the Mets got cold, losing seven of their next 10 games, including three out of four at home to the division-rival Nationals. In years past we might have seen this team fold up the tent, make excuses about injuries and start to focus on the following year… But that was not the case with this team. The Mets broke their long scoring drought last night and held on to beat the Orioles 3-2, and tonight it was even more convincing as they won 5-1 and swept the two-game set.

It may just be two games, but shutting down a team with as potent an offense as the O’s–as well as scoring some runs themselves–has got to feel good for this team. The Mets now move on to Philadelphia where they play a three-game series after an off day tomorrow. This will be another chance for the team to rack up some wins, stay confident and hold off their surging division rivals.

Other notes from Wednesday:

Curtis Granderson went 1-for-3 at the plate with a solo home run (2) and two RBI.

Jacob deGrom got his first hit of the season with a single in the 4th inning.

With five runs tonight the Mets scored over four runs for the first time since 4/25.

After two scoreless frames tonight, the Mets bullpen has the 6th lowest ERA of any relief corp in baseball.

The Mets improved to 13-3 at home with the win tonight.