What a week for the Meties. We lost a few more players to the IL. The most brutal of which was Kevin Pillar getting hit in the face by a pitch.
But Pillar, much like the Mets, picked himself up and walked off under his own power.
We’re finding ways to win despite all the replacement players, shuffling between Syracuse and the big league club.
If the Mets can hold onto 1st place through all this adversity, imagine what they can do once our starters start to get healthy again.
DISLOCATED RECAP
Hey, how have the Mets been doing?
🟠 Sunday 5/16 at Rays - L 7-1
Things are kinda unraveling now. Conforto & McNeil both left the game with hamstring problems. Stroman started off decently, but ultimately got roughed up for 5 runs in 6 innings.
Gsellman pitched a clean inning in relief, but Diaz gave up a couple more runs in a non-save situation.
The only offense came from Patrick Mazeika, who finally got his first big league hit, a solo HR, replacing McNeil in the DH role.
With all the injuries, the Mets were left with just Tomas Nido on the bench.
Last week’s seven-game win streak seems months ago after getting swept out of Tampa.
🟠 Monday 5/17 at Braves - W 3-1
The good news: We won our first game against the Braves.
The bad news: Two more Mets are injured.
Tai Walker got the start and looked strong through 3 innings, but his left side tightened up, and he had to come out of the game. He said in the post-game presser that he’d been dealing with the issue for a couple of weeks, which is crazy when you think about the gem he tossed in his last outing. Let’s hope he can heal up quickly and not miss any time.
Sean Reid-Foley came in and dominated the Braves for the next 3 innings, giving up no hits, no walks, and striking out 5.
Familia was perfect in his inning. May ran into a little trouble, giving up a solo HR, and a double. But managed to escape with minimal damage.
Sugar Diaz locked the save down in the 9th with no sweat.
The Mets offense didn’t plate anyone til the 7th, when Tomas Nido scored on a double down the line by McCann. The Mets then had the bases loaded with Pillar up, and he got drilled in the face with a fastball. He was bleeding a lot immediately, and it was pretty scary to see, but he walked to the dugout under his own power, which is a good sign.
Johneshwy Fargas, fresh off his call-up from the farm, tacked on another run in the 8th, driving in Nido, who was on base a lot, going 3 for 4.
🟠 Tuesday 5/18 at Braves - W 4-3
The B & C squad Mets continue to get it done!
Castro got another start, or “open” I should say, in another bullpen game. He looked sharp as ever needing just 11 pitches to set the Braves down in order in his only inning of work.
Tommy Hunter was lights out fanning 4 over 2 innings. Gsellman and May each gave up solo HR, and Loup was charged with a run after Familia came in to relieve him after giving up a lead-off double in the 8th.
And Diaz locked down another save with no troubles.
Villar hit another home run early in this one. Pete brought in Lindor with a sac fly, and Nido gave the Mets the lead with a 9th inning dinger.
Just the usual heroics from the bench mob.
🟠 Wednesday 5/19 at Braves - L 5-4
David Peterson switched it up from his usual performance. Instead of struggling early and settling down to toss a gem, he cruised through the first 4 innings, and lost his touch in the 5th, giving up 3 runs on 2 singles and a wild pitch.
Drew Smith came in to finish the inning, and pitched the following frame as well.
Castro was perfect in his inning, but Loup failed to get an out in the 8th, and gave up the tying run before Jacob Barnes came in to clean things up. He he went back out there for the 9th, and Acuña blasted the first pitch for a walk-off HR.
Who else but Villar kicked the Mets’ scoring off with another dinger in the 4th. And the rest of the Bench Mob got in on the action in the 7th with Jose Peraza doubling home Dom, and Nido singling home Peraza & McCann.
Unfortunately that was all the scoring the Mets were able to do, and it wasn’t quite enough on this night. But hey, we took 2 of 3 in Atlanta with a lineup equal parts starters, bench guys, and Triple-A guys. So that ain’t bad at all.
🟠 Friday 5/21 at Marlins - W 6-5
Stroman took the mound and continued his dominance. He went 6 innings, scattering 6 hits and a walk, while striking out 8. He gave up just 2 runs, one of which was from an inherited runner on a HR surrendered by Castro who came in to relieve him in the 7th.
May pitched the 8th and got squeezed by the ump, which landed him in a bases-loaded jam. But he got a huge K to escape.
Familia pitched around a single and a walk in the 9th, and game went into extras, something not ideal with two “bullpen games” looming over the weekend. But a combination of Diaz, Drew Smith, Loup (who struggled the most of this group), and Barnes found a way to push through and get it done.
As for the offense, they got things started early with Lindor & Smith driving in 2 runs in the 1st. Nido drove in another run in the 4th.
But it was the Syracuse Squad who put the Mets over the top, scoring 3 runs in the 12th, with Josh Hager and Khalil Lee getting their first big league hits in a big spot. Johneshwy Fargas cleared the bases with a triple. He tried stretching it into an inside-the-park HR, but was thrown out at home.
An exciting win for this hobbled team!
🟠 Saturday 5/22 at Marlins - L 3-1
Joey Lucchesi got the start and turned in his best performance of the season so far. He went 4 innings, giving up just 1 hit, and fanning 8 batters. He was pulled with a low pitch count though, and Sean Reid-Foley came in for 2 and 1/3rd innings, surrendering the first run of the game in the 7th. Loup came in to finish the 7th, and Castro pitched a perfect 8th.
The Mets didn’t have much offense in this one. Dom Smith singled home Peraza in the 8th to tie the game, and that was all we could muster.
Drew Smith got 2 outs in the 9th, but gave up a 2-run HR to allow the Fish to walk it off.
CAUGHT IN A RUNDOWN
All the news from this past week, which you’ve probably already seen by now.
🟠 Some Monday afternoon news regarding the latest round of injured starters 🤕
We have made the following roster moves:
— New York Mets (@Mets) May 17, 2021
🔹 McNeil placed on IL with strained L hamstring
🔸 Conforto placed on IL with strained R hamstring
🔹 Contract selected of OF Johneshwy Fargas from AAA SYR
🔸 Recalled OF Khalil Lee from AAA SYR
🔹 Transferred RHP Lugo to 60-Day IL pic.twitter.com/kkmp6eevlM
🟠 Kevin Pillar suffered nasal fractures from the pitch he took to the face Monday night. It sounds like he’s otherwise ok. No word yet on how long he’ll be out.
Wilfredo Tovar was called up from Syracuse to take his place on the roster.
🟠 The injury bug is spreading to the farm system, as top draft pick, Pete Crow-Armstrong, will have surgery to repair his injured shoulder.
🟠 Taijuan Walker was placed on the 10-day injured list on Wednesday with tightness in his left side.
🟠 To continue with the injury theme, Pete Alonso sat and was unavailable on Wednesday with a sore wrist. Luis Rojas suggested it might be related to getting hit by a pitch way back in St Louis a couple weeks ago.
🟠 The Mets continue to be broken 🤕 Here are the moves.
Pete Alonso has been placed on the 10-Day IL, retroactive to May 19, with a right hand sprain
— New York Mets (@Mets) May 21, 2021
Tommy Hunter has been placed on the 10-Day IL, retroactive to May 19, with lower back pain
Yennsy Díaz has been recalled from Triple-A
Brandon Drury has been selected from Triple-A
Sam McWilliams has been reinstated from the Minor League IL
— New York Mets (@Mets) May 21, 2021
Daniel Zamora has been designated for assignment
🟠 More & more moves. A couple guys got scooped up by other teams 🤷🏻♂️
RHP Jordan Yamamoto has been recalled from Triple-A.
— New York Mets (@Mets) May 22, 2021
LHP Stephen Tarpley has been reinstated from the Minor League IL.
INF Jake Hager has been designated for assignment.
C Deivy Grullón has been claimed by the Tampa Bay Rays.
LHP Daniel Zamora has been claimed by Seattle.
TWEET THE METS
🟠 Str0 always keeps the faith 🙏
Even keel through it all. Positive prayers and healing vibes to all of the boys battling injuries. We shall persevere. Onward and upward as always. Atlanta bound! ✈️
— Marcus Stroman (@STR0) May 16, 2021
🟠 Serenity now! 😬
— Trevor “IamTrevorMay” May (@IamTrevorMay) May 16, 2021
🟠 Noah comes for the anti-baseball crowd 💀
“BaSeBaLl iSn’T a PhYsICaL SpOrT!”
— Noah Syndergaard (@Noahsyndergaard) May 18, 2021
-wears 97mph off faces, hands, wrists, everywhere else daily #Pillar
-blows out UCL’s, ACL’s, Shoulders, Knees, Hamstrings
-162 games, 180+days, plus spring training, and HOPEFULLY an extra month of playoffs
-when hurt, hears “HES ALWAYS HURT!”
🟠 Str0 & May send good vibes to KP after his brutal HBP on Monday 🙏
Prayers way up for my brother @KPILLAR4. Sick to my stomach watching that live. Savage gets up and walks off on his own power. KP has been a legend for awhile. Sending you all the blessings my bro!
— Marcus Stroman (@STR0) May 18, 2021
Thoughts are with my man KP @KPILLAR4.
— Trevor “IamTrevorMay” May (@IamTrevorMay) May 18, 2021
🟠 Nido’s spreading love all around 💙🧡
Tai, SRF, fama, may, sugar all nasty 🔥 Mac clutch, fargas clutch, Bench mob W🤟🏻 prayers for KP! #lfgm #bob
— Tomas Nido (@tnido24) May 18, 2021
🟠 The Man Of Steel himself checked in from the hospital to let everyone know he’s doing alright 💪🏼
Thanks to everyone that has reached out! Scary moment but I’m doing fine! #RBI #gamewinner 👍🏽👍🏽
— Kevin Pillar (@KPILLAR4) May 18, 2021
🟠 KP is a fan, man. He tweeted these from the bench, watching his teammates fight like hell ⚾️
That a baby!! https://t.co/N0VnmyBPPB
— Kevin Pillar (@KPILLAR4) May 20, 2021
@lilswingman24 what a catch!!
— Kevin Pillar (@KPILLAR4) May 20, 2021
@tnido24 yeahhhhhhhh let’s go!!!
— Kevin Pillar (@KPILLAR4) May 20, 2021
☄️⚡️🎯 @McCannon33
— Kevin Pillar (@KPILLAR4) May 20, 2021
@j_barnes30 huge. Escapes the jam.. big inning big dog!!
— Kevin Pillar (@KPILLAR4) May 20, 2021
🟠 This wasn’t tweeted by a Met, but it’s about a Met and too great to not share 😂
Jacob deGrom is throwing 102 MPH...
— Palm Beach Cardinals (@GoPBCardinals) May 20, 2021
Someone send help.
🟠 The camaraderie in this clubhouse is next level 🥰Oh, so NOW the Mets give Jacob deGrom run support...#BeachBirds pic.twitter.com/2CKwB8XWYN
— Palm Beach Cardinals (@GoPBCardinals) May 21, 2021
— Kevin Pillar (@KPILLAR4) May 22, 2021
My brother. @Lindor12BC https://t.co/CzNVxvqcTV
— Marcus Stroman (@STR0) May 22, 2021
Fargyyyyyy clutch🔥🔥🔥 https://t.co/8W0vAWYHpI pic.twitter.com/KdwhzHKzyM
— Tomas Nido (@tnido24) May 22, 2021