Mets win over the Yankees included victory laps and important reminders
A 9-7 win might not seem perfect for anyone. But that’s what Tuesday’s victory for the New York Mets over the New York Yankees was. From start to finish, everything about this game is exactly what they needed. It was a game of victory laps to important reminders.
The Mets hammered Gerrit Cole
Four home runs, including two off the bat of Mark Vientos, led the charge. They scored 6 earned runs against the Yankees ace and didn’t strike out once in the 12 outs he did secure. Beating up on good pitchers has been a part of their recent M.O. Dylan Cease. Jon Gray. Shota Imanaga. It can’t be fun to face this Mets lineup right now.
The Mets handled themselves well against some bitter exes
J.D. Davis went 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts and was later pinch hit for by rookie Ben Rice. Phil Bickford, who was the first Aaron Boone summoned from the bullpen, allowed the 3 other runs for the Yankees. Those “revenge” spots are always good to overcome.
This might be where some think the good ends. Depending on how the Mets take it, some of the typically “bad” stuff can be spun in a different direction.
David Peterson assured us there are better starting pitching options out there
What a weird night for David Peterson. After loading the bases in the first, he struck out the side in gutsy fashion. He’d actually end up with 8 punchouts in his 4.1 innings. A Juan Soto home run was his one blemish on the now 3.67 ERA.
Peterson had plenty of other problems on this night. He’d allow 5 walks which helped run a pinch count up to 103. The absence of length from him is another reminder of what the Mets have available down in the minor leagues. Let this, after Tylor Megill’s latest outing too, be more reason to recall Christian Scott and maybe even Jose Butto. Furthermore, let the Mets take note of any potential trades to make. Peterson and Megill are fine for depth. You don’t want to rely on them.
The Mets bullpen reminded the front office they cannot be trusted
Dedniel Nunez gave them 2.2 innings and an unearned run. Once the ball got into Adam Ottavino’s hands, our hearts palpitated. Both he and Danny Young had nearly identical stat lines of retiring one batter and allowing 2 earned runs. Reed Garrett stopped the bleeding.
In the absence of Edwin Diaz, the bullpen will be the toughest part of this team to manage. We knew that already. The near full-implosion feeds back to the previous point about Peterson. You need starting pitchers with the potential to go deep into games. We cannot rely on close to half of the available arms the Mets have at the moment.
It’s up to Mets management to see this and act. There are 9 games left without Diaz which, if Garrett is the temporary closer, means someone else will need to step up. One weakness begets another when it comes to the pitching staff. Let this by-the-skin-of-the-teeth win prompt a change.
This article was originally published on risingapple.com as Mets win over the Yankees included victory laps and important reminders.