They're Baaaaaaaaack

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Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso broke out of their horrid slumps and Sean Manaea put in a splendid start as the Mets completed a sweep of the Los Angeles Angels, winning yesterday by a score of 6-3.

The fun began early for New York (NL). Brandon Nimmo led off the bottom of the first with a home run to right center off of lefty Angels opener Brock Burke. 

The Angels tied it in the top of the third when Mike Trout, who it turns out is still pretty good, went yard. It would prove to be Sean Manaea’s only real blemish in five innings of work. Manaea only allowed two hits, walking two and striking out five (three of those in a 1-2-3 first inning.) 

The bottom of the third was a beautiful sight to see. Tyrone Taylor walked and Nimmo was hit by a Jake Eder pitch. This brought up Francisco Lindor who was 0 for his last 31. Hitting right-handed against Sam Backman, Lindor sliced a single to left center, scoring Taylor to put the Mets in front. After Juan Soto was retired, Pete Alonso, who was 2 for his last 34, smacked a three-run homer to left into the second deck. It was hit so hard and so true that the Polar Bear admired it. 

The Mets added a sixth run in the fourth, once again thanks in part to Mr. Smile. With runners at the corners and one out, Lindor singled in Luis Torrens. Hits with runners in scoring position: what a concept!

Huascar Brazobán handled the sixth just fine. José Buttó in his return to the big leagues struggled in the seventh though. Kevin Newman singled to start, and old chum Travis d’Arnaud followed with a base hit of his own, moving Newman to third. Luis Rengifo reached on a 3-6 fielder’s choice that scored Newman. Chris Taylor then doubled down the right field line to cut the Met lead to three. After Buttó managed to get Zach Neto to ground out to third, Brooks Raley entered the chat. He walked Nolan Schanuel on four pitches before getting the potential tying run, Trout, to ground out to second to end the threat.

The eighth was also fraught for the Metsies. With two outs and a runner at first, Carlos Mendoza went to Edwin Díaz for a four-out save (today is a day off.) Sugar promptly hit d’Arnaud with a pitch. He then got very, very lucky when home plate umpire Erich Bacchus called at least two clear balls as strikes. Luis Rengifo was caught looking at strike three, which led to an angry Angels manager, which led to an ejection. 

Díaz hit another batter to start the ninth - Chris Taylor. And he got hit on the helmet. It was scary but Taylor seemed fine and not mad. Díaz then struck out Neto on a slider, Schanuel grounded out to second, and Mike Trout ended it when he popped up to third. 

After the homestand began with two brutal losses to the Reds, the Mets rallied and won the next four. Suddenly, after almost four months, the entire team is starting to produce. It’s a wonderful thing. 

 ***

The Phillies lost last night to the Red Sox in 11 innings. The Mets are back in first place in the NL East by half a game. Both the Mets and Phillies have the day off today.

Over 250,000 fans were in attendance at Citi Field for the 6-game homestand vs. the Reds and Angels. An impressive 41,591 attended yesterday’s weekday day game.

José Buttó was activated from the injured list. Justin Garza, who was called back up on Tuesday and didn’t pitch, was sent right back to Syracuse.

The Mets signed their 18th round selection, RHP Dillon Stiltner. That means they successfully signed 18 out of their 19 draft picks. Impressive.

Francisco Lindor will not officially be named as captain of the Mets “at the moment”, according to a Newsday source. Within the same article, it was revealed that Lindor tried to trademark “Mr. Smile” in 2019 to potentially use on a clothing line, but he let the trademark expire because at the time he wasn’t into fashion.

Tim Britton and/or Will Sammon at The Athletic figured out that since Brett Baty was recalled on May 7th, he has a .765 OPS. That’s better than Alonso’s and Lindor’s in that time frame. 

Padres starting pitcher and pending free agent Dylan Cease is reportedly available, and the Mets have interest in him.

Clay Holmes will not be sent to the bullpen. Probably. The Mets are reportedly satisfied with how Holmes recovers after starts.

The Mets social media team officially acknowledged the team chancla.

The Triple-A Syracuse Mets (48-50) handled the Omaha Storm Chasers (Royals affiliate) 8-4. Center fielder Drew Gilbert went 4 for 5 with a double and an RBI. Jared Young went 3 for 5 with a home run and a triple, three runs scored, four RBI, and a stolen base. Blade Tidwell got a no-decision, throwing three and one third innings, allowing one earned run on five hits. He walked two and struck out four. 

The Double-A Binghamton Rumble Ponies (60-30) shut out the Reading Fighting Phils (Phillies) 7-0. Ryan Clifford hit his 18th and 19th home runs of the season. Joshua Cornielly got the dub after tossing two and two thirds scoreless innings, he allowed one hit, no walks, ad one strike out.

The High-A Brooklyn Cyclones (58-34) fell to the Greensboro Grasshoppers (Pirates) by a score of 3-1. The Cyclones were held to just four hits. A.J. Ewing had the only extra base knock for Brooklyn - an RBI double. Brendan Girton started. He threw four and one third innings, allowing just two hits and one earned run. He walked two and fanned three.

The Low-A St. Lucie Mets (50-40) absolutely whooped the Daytona Tortugas (Reds) by a score of 14-1. Every St. Lucie starter recorded at least one hit. Daviel Hurtado, Jose Chirinos, Estarlin Escalante, and Jorge De Leon combined on a one-hitter. 

10 years ago today, the Mets acquired Juan Uribe and Kelly Johnson from Atlanta for two minor league pitchers. They also promoted top prospect Michael Conforto from Double-A to the bigs.

The Mets have the day off today. They’ll start a series with the Giants in San Francisco late tomorrow night.