Just Mets

The Mets defeated the Braves by the score of 10-8 today at Citi Field. Here are my takeaways from today’s win…

The bats went batty.

The Mets did hit which helped them stay in this ballgame, which was nice to see. At the very least, they didn’t mail anything in this afternoon and fought as much as they could despite Gee’s ineffective performance. They got a big two out hit from Wilmer Flores to plate two in the third (watch), and solo home runs from Darrell Ceciliani (watch) and Dilson Herrera in the fourth. Then Travis d’Arnaud hit a two-run home run in the fifth which brought the Mets back to within a run (watch).

Then, Juan Lagares hit a three-run home run in the sixth inning and just like that, the Mets had ten runs on the board and a two run lead and a completely different tone to this game (watch).

Needless to say, it seems d’Arnaud hasn’t missed a beat. He’s turned into the hitter the Mets expected he would eventually be when he was acquired for R.A. Dickey back in 2012, and has transformed this lineup since returning from the disabled list. They still need a bat, but he’s clearly an important piece the Mets were sorely missing for six weeks.

The nightmare for Dillon Gee continues.

Things just haven’t gone well for Gee this season. He is the outcast among the bevy of starting pitchers the Mets have on this roster, and he has been unable to take advantage of the few opportunities he’s been given.

Today, he was just over the middle of the plate with everything, and extraordinarily hittable. Even the outs were loud in what was as ineffective a game he’s had.

The poor pitching is unquestionably on Gee. Despite the turbulence he’s had so far this season, he has owned up to his poor performances when he’s had them, which is honorable. But I do believe the lack of a set routine and pitching as infrequently as he has this season has had a negative impact on him dating all the way back to voluntary workouts in February.

How about Sean Gilmartin?

What a job he did today in relief of Gee. He gave the club two scoreless innings of relief which bought the Mets time in this one, and the Mets most certainly rewarded him for the goose eggs he put up.

He has been a tremendous find for Sandy Alderson and the Mets, and has unquestionably earned his keep as a rare Rule 5 success story. There’s no question he is the ace left-hander in the Mets bullpen and a huge reason why the unit has been so solid so far  in 2015.

A much needed series win.

After what happened on Saturday, the Mets absolutely had to get this game. For the first four innings, it looked like the Mets were going to flush this weekend series down the toilet. But this was a good character win, and an inspiring one at that. They battled, didn’t give up, hit the tar out of the ball and came away with smiles on their face for a series win. An excellent afternoon for the Metropolitans.

Other notes from Sunday:

Every Mets position player had at least one hit today – Lagares and Curtis Granderson went 6- for-10 with three RBI and three runs scored in the top two spots in the lineup.

D’Arnaud has hit in all four games since returning from the disabled list and has four RBI as well.

The Mets won their first series since May 25-27 against the Phillies.

Ceciliani’s fourth inning home run was his first career home run.

The Mets hit four home runs on Sunday – they have six so far on the home stand.