A Splendid Split

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In a split doubleheader against the Milwaukee Brewers, the Mets lost Game 1 but changed a few things and got a much needed victory in Game 2

The afternoon contest was yet another sorry affair that is best to be forgotten. Clay Holmes allowed a leadoff home run to Sal Frelick, but after that he shut out the Brew Crew until the sixth inning. He walked Christian Yelich and got Jackson Chourio to fly out to right. At that point he was at 90 pitches. Carlos Mendoza controversially took him out right then and there for Reed Garrett. Garrett promptly gave up a game-tying double to Brice Turang, a single, a walk, and then a grand slam to Joey Ortiz to single-handedly blow the game. The irony is that by trying to preserve Holmes’ pitch count, Mendoza leaned on the overused Garrett. The Mets offense against Freddy Peralta and two relievers combined to record two base hits, so not everything is on Garrett.

The vibes completely shifted in the nightcap. Mendoza put Brandon Nimmo in the leadoff spot, placing the slumping Francisco Lindor second. It paid dividends in the second inning. With two out and nobody on, Brewers rookie phenom Jacob Misiorowski walked both Brett Baty and Ronny Mauricio(he walked twice!). Then, Hayden Senger hit a grounder that took a wonky bounce. Brewers second baseman Brice Turang was on second base waiting for the ball to reach him so he can get the inning-ending force out, but the ball never got to him. It was the kind of good luck the Mets haven’t had in weeks. Next up was Nimmo, the leadoff hitter. He hit a grand slam. Lindor followed with a solo shot. Lindor would later hit an RBI single in the sixth and an RBI double in the eighth to give the Metsies some breathing room. SNY showed a telling graphic: going into yesterday’s games, Lindor’s OPS in Met wins this season was 1.006. In losses, .448. 

Meanwhile, the Mets pitching held up. Huascar Brazobán opened and threw a scoreless first. Blade Tidwell got his first career win - he pumped in strikes, fortified with a big league, which worked for him until the sixth when he gave up back-to-back jacks. Dedniel Nuñez, Richard Lovelady, Ryne Stanek, and Edwin Díaz for the final four outs combined to not allow an earned run. 

Obviously, a sweep would have been better, but because the one win in the double dip came in the second game, the Mets have the slightest bit of momentum going into tomorrow. They’ll take anything positive that they can.

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Francisco Lindor was named the starting shortstop for the National League in the 2025 MLB All-Star Game! It’s his first time as an All-Star in any capacity as a Met. He’s the first Met to be a fan-elected starter in nine years. 

Not only did Lindor hit second instead of leadoff, but he himself changed his walk-up music back to “My Girl” exclusively. No more “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.”

Easily the highlight of Game 1 was when Steve Gelbs informed this year’s kidcaster in person that he won the contest. Way to go, Antonio!

Frankie Montas thinks he was tipping his sliders and sweepers and he cleaned that up. We’ll see.

Aw, tonight’s Brewers starter Jose Quintana got a tribute video before Game 2.

Gary Cohen revealed that Jeff McNeil was mad at Rhys Hoskins last year because he confused him with a different Phillie who slid too hard to second base. Wow, Jeff.

Four Mets made the latest Top 100 prospects list at Baseball America: Jet!(t) Williams (48), Nolan McLean (51), Jonah Tong (60), and Carson Benge (97). 

Austin Warren was the 27th man in Game 2 of the doubleheader. He wasn’t used.

Anthony DiComo reported that RHP Rico Garcia will be the next fresh arm in the Mets bullpen. He last pitched in the majors in 2023.

The Triple-A Syracuse Mets (37-46) split a doubleheader against the Worcester Red Sox. They won Game 1 by a score of 5-2, thanks in part to Francisco Alvarez’s third home run in as many games. Pablo Lopez and Drew Gilbert also went yard. Game 2 however was an 11-1 drubbing by the Woo Sox. Tyler Zuber got the loss.

The Double-A Binghamton Rumble Ponies (50-25) split their double dip with the Hartford Yard Goats (Rockies affiliate). They lost Game 1 5-3. Nick Morabito’s three-run homer provided all of Bing’s offense. Sean Manaea (oblique, loose bodies in elbow) threw 60 pitches over three innings, permitting two earned runs on six hits. He walked one and struck out three. Brooks Raley (Tommy John) threw a hitless inning, striking out two in the process. The Rumble Ponies handled the Yard Goats in the second game, shutting them out 6-0. Jesse Winker (oblique strain) smacked a three-run dinger. Joander Suarez got the dub. He threw six shutout innings, allowing just two hits, walking nary a soul, and punching out four.

The High-A Brooklyn Cyclones (53-24) dropped both games of their doubleheader with the Hudson Valley Renegades (Yankees). They fell in Game 1 by a score of 5-3. Starter Nate Dohm allowed four earned runs in just one and two thirds innings. Game 2 was a 2-0 loss. The Cyclones were held to just three hits. 

The Low-A St. Lucie Mets (41-35) comeback attempt fell just short - they lost to the Daytona Tortugas (Reds) 7-6. Catcher Daiverson Guttierez and first baseman Trace Willhoite had multi-hit games. Channing Austin was roughed up, permitting five earned runs in four frames.

On this day in 1996, Met rookie Alex Ochoa hit for the cycle against the Phillies. New York won 10-6. Memba Alex? 

Tonight the Mets try to take the series from the Brewers. Old chum Jose Quintana (6-2, 3.30 ERA) will get the start for Milwaukee. Fellow lefty David Peterson (5-4, 3.30 ERA) will try and right his ship for New York(NL). First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 pm eastern. The game will air on SNY.