Meet the Mets
The Mets played their second doubleheader in three days. In the first game, Jacob deGrom returned to the mound and was once again breathtaking, shutting out the Atlanta Braves over five one-hit innings to lower his ERA to 0.50 (Zero! Point! Five! Zero!). The Mets jumped ahead in the first on a wild pitch that brought Jonathan Villar in from third, and broke the game open when Dominic Smith roped a bases-clearing double down the right field line in the fifth. Ozzie Albies hit a two-run homer against Seth Lugo in the six to cut New York’s lead in half, but Edwin Díaz shut the door with a perfect seventh for a 4-2 victory.
Like in DC, the Mets lost the second game as they were unable to complete a sweep. Jerad Eickhoff gave his new club more than they could’ve hoped for with four shutout innings, side-stepping a bases loaded threat in the first and working out of danger all night. The game remained scoreless until the fifth, when Ronald Acuña Jr. hit a laser beam home run off of Miguel Castro. The Mets’ offense couldn’t do much of anything off of Chase Anderson and, though they loaded the bases with one out in the ninth, they fell 1-0. On the season, the Mets have swept two doubleheaders and have split four doubleheaders.
Choose Your Recap: Amazin’ Avenue short (Game 1, Game 2) and long, Daily News, ESPN, MLB.com (Game 1, Game 2), Newsday, NY Post (Game 1, Game 2), North Jersey
In starting the year with 12 straight outings of allowing one or zero earned runs, deGrom broke a tie set a record for most consecutive starts of one earned run or fewer, breaking a tie with Bob Gibson, who accomplished the feat in 1968. deGrom is now also halfway to Orel Hershiser’s scoreless inning streak, having pitched 30 scoreless frames.
After his start, deGrom found himself with a 2.49 ERA and a 10.7 K/9 in his career, making him the only pitcher to ever have a sub-2.50 ERA and a 10+ K/9 in their career with at least 70 starts to their name.
ESPN unveiled their GOAT tracker to see where the best pitcher in baseball’s numbers stand with other great seasons.
More importantly, deGrom said he ‘felt good’ after his start.
As deGrom dominated again, David Lennon wondered if the Mets could keep him safe.
The ace also said he is fine with umpires checking for sticky stuff.
Following an investigation within the organization on workplace practices, the Mets announced they would part ways with general counsel David Cohen and HR Senior VP Holly Lindvall. Both of them will stay on board for a “transitional period”.
Steve Cohen announced the changes in a letter to employees that also outlined an expanded anti-harassment and anti-discrimination policy, as well as an improved process for HR complaints and responses.
The Athletic’s staff summed up the announcement from the team. (Paywall Alert)
Prior to Game 1, the team placed Robert Gsellman on the injured list and recalled Jeff McNeil to take his place. It was later revealed that Gsellman had a lat tear and would miss at least six to eight weeks.
In between games, the team placed Jeurys Familia on the IL with a right hip impingement and recalled Yennsy Diaz.
With the two latest injuries, Mets’ relievers are dropping fast.
During a Steve Gelbs update in Game 2, he announced that Joey Lucchesi’s MRI revealed a tear in his UCL, with Tommy John surgery being a very real possibility. The Mets will get a second opinion before making any decisions.
Lucchesi’s mom took to Twitter to thank Mets fans for their support and well wishes after the news of her son’s injury diagnosis.
Jonathan Villar also left Monday night’s loss with right calf tightness. He will be re-evaluated today.
The Mets’ improved defense is thanks to a focus on cutting balls off when they’re hit up the middle, and it’s been working for them.
With McNeil’s return to the lineup, will Villar lose playing time? This is the question SNY decided to openly ponder.
Pete Alonso had some fun with All Star Game voting, filming a spot with Donnie Stevenson at Citi Field to try to get fans to vote him into the game.
The Mets found their way into the top-10 of the latest MLB Power Rankings.
In the latest This Week in Mets, Tim Britton wondered when the real Mets offense might show up. (Paywall Alert)
Around the National League East
An important week for the Philadelphia Phillies begins with their ace, Zack Wheeler, on the hill.
In preparation of that pivotal week, Aaron Nola is looking for a solution to his problems.
As Mets fans saw over the weekend, Kyle Schwarber is experiencing a power surge. The recent home run barrage is a mystery, but the Washington Nationals are fine with that.
It might be too early to believe in the Nationals, but it also might be too early for their fans to give up on them.
Around Major League Baseball
For many baseball players, an interpreter is a lot more important than just the job they do for those players.
Gerrit Cole implored MLB to “Just talk with us and work with us” following his last start.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who finished second to Pete Alonso in the 2019 Home Run Derby, has opted not to participate in the 2021 iteration of the event.
If you are interested in attending the Hall of Fame ceremony in Cooperstown on September 8, the ceremony will return to its standard seating formant, and tickets will no longer be required for lawn seating.
A rain delay ruined a potential combined no-hitter at Camden Yards, but the Houston Astros still won handily 10-2 over the Baltimore Orioles.
Cleveland blanked the Chicago Cubs 4-0.
The Texas Rangers walloped the Oakland Athletics 8-3.
The Minnesota Twins outlasted the Cincinnati Reds 7-5 in 12 innings.
The Arizona Diamondbacks finally won a baseball game, ending their franchise-record 17-game losing streak with a 5-1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers.
The San Diego Padres defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-2. In the win, Yu Darvish punched out 11 Dodgers, becoming the fast pitcher to reach 1,500 career strikeouts (197 games).
Yesterday at Amazin’ Avenue
Allison McCague brought us the position player and pitcher meters for the week!
I previewed the team’s four-game set against the Braves.
I also wrote about the team’s latest roster moves.
Chris McShane discussed the news on Joey Lucchesi’s injury.
Catch up on the latest on the all things minor leagues with Episode 119 of From Complex to Queens!
This Date in Mets History
Tom Seaver officially announced his retirement at Shea Stadium on this date in 1987.
