Mets fans and players will remember this win for a while. In years past, there would be no doubt the Mets were going to lose Monday night’s game against the St. Louis Cardinals. But this year and this team is different, encapsulating the “Never Say Die” attitude after scoring five unearned runs with two outs in the top of the ninth to rally from two down and win the game.
After Trevor May gave up two runs in the bottom of the eighth, the Mets had to dig themselves out of a hole in the top of the ninth. Pete Alonso jumped on the first pitch he saw and flied out. Eduardo Escobar followed with a single to right center then advanced to second after Robinson Canó flied out. With two outs, Mark Canha worked a long at-bat and reached first on an infield single despite having two strikes. Escobar would score on Nolan Arenado’s throwing error.
Travis Jankowski was inserted as a pinch runner for Canha. Jeff McNeil then hit his second double of the game and Jankowski advanced to third. Dominic Smith came on to pinch hit and, despite a diving stop by first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, slid into the base head-first safely, outrunning pitcher Giovanny Gallegos. Both Jankowski and McNeil scored, putting the Mets up 3-2.
The Cardinals took Gallegos out and Brandon Nimmo promptly homered to deep right off T.J. McFarland on the first pitch he threw.
The Mets scored five unearned runs in the inning, making it a 5-2 game. Edwin DÃaz pitched in the bottom of the inning and completed the save.
Mets starting pitcher Max Scherzer went seven scoreless innings and allowed just two hits and one walk with 10 strikeouts.
It is the 13Âth win for the Mets, putting them at 13-5 on the season and 4.5 games in front of the Miami Marlins for first place in the NL East. The 13 wins mark the most of any team in the young season. The Mets look to stay hot as Chris Bassitt takes the mound against St. Louis on Tuesday night.
(Photo: Twitter via Mets)
