After starting their West Coast road trip with a series split in San Diego against the Padres, the Mets traveled to Arizona to take on the Diamondbacks for three games. The Diamondbacks entered the series as winners of six straight, and that streak came to an abrupt halt in the first game with a Mets victory. The Mets also saw a familiar but not welcome blown save from their closer Edwin Díaz in game two. (Note: he recovered in the next game to get the save).
In the series, Pete Alonso made some history, driving his 220th and 221st home runs of his career, all with the Mets. This put him ahead of Mike Piazza for third place on the Mets all-time list. Also in Arizona, Sean Manaea picked up his 10th win of the season.
Following the trips against playoff caliber opponents in the Padres and Diamondbacks, the Mets need to avoid a trap. They next travel to Chicago to take on the White Sox, who have already hit the 100-loss mark. It should be an easy set of games for New York. However, if the history of Mets teaches anyone anything, it is to expect the unexpected.
Here are the by-game rundowns of the Diamondbacks series:
Game 1: Mets 8, Diamondbacks 3
Ironically, the Mets won the first game of this series by the same score as they won in the first game of the San Diego series, 8-3. Manaea was solid, pitching into the seventh inning. The bats of the Mets took advantage in the fifth inning, sending 12 batters to the plate and scoring six runs to take an 8-0 lead.
The Mets offense saw hits from eight of nine starters, with Jesse Winker being the exception. Brandon Nimmo had three hits, while Francisco Lindor, Mark Vientos, and J.D. Martinez had two each. Alonso hit his 28th home run of the season. The Mets had 16 at-bats with runners in scoring position and had hits in four of them.
On the mound, Manaea was dominant for the first six innings, allowing only one hit until the seventh. He finished with 6.2 innings pitched and was charged with three runs on four hits with no walks. Manaea tied his season-high with 11 strikeouts. The Mets bullpen was a bit choppy but got the job done without being charged with any runs. Reed Garrett relieved Manaea and finished the seventh, Phil Maton (0.2 innings) and Danny Young (0.1 inning) combined for the eighth, and Adam Ottavino pitched a scoreless ninth.
For Arizona, there were two home runs in the seventh inning and that was it for the scoring. Corbin Carroll had a two-run shot and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. a solo shot. Josh Bell had two singles.
Brandon Pfaadt started the game and only lasted 4.2 innings over 98 pitches. He was charged with eight runs (six earned) on eight hits with a walk and a strikeout. Former Yankee Jordan Montgomery went the final 4.1 innings and was not charged with a run.
Game 2: Diamondbacks 8, Mets 5
Arizona evened the series and got back to their winning ways in dramatic fashion. Carroll’s two home runs, including a grand slam in the eighth inning off Diaz paced the Diamondbacks.
The Mets offense worked hard to overcome a 4-0 deficit and bring a 5-4 lead into the bottom of the eighth. They did their damage in the fifth inning, similar to the first game of the series. In this one, they scored four to tie the game. In that inning, Martinez had an RBI double, followed by a Francisco Alvarez RBI single, and a Harrison Bader two-run home run. Alonso had a sacrifice fly in the sixth to score Starling Marte. Marte bunted his way on, stole second, advanced to third on a groundout, and scored on the sacrifice fly with a swim move slide.
Luis Severino started for the Mets. He had another long outing, pitch-wise, but not in terms of innings. With 100 pitches, he covered 4.2 innings. Severino was charged with four runs on eight hits with a walk and nine strikeouts. He was also hit by a comebacker by Carroll. After the game he said it hurt but he would 100% make his next start. However, the situation bears watching. The next three innings of shutout relief were provided by the quartet of Huascar Brazoban, Young, Garrett, and Maton. Then, Diaz came on for a four-out save that turned into his sixth blown save of the season as he surrendered the Carroll grand slam.
For Arizona, Carroll’s two home runs and five RBI’s were the big storylines. Joc Pederson also had a two-run homer. Former Met and fan favorite Luis Guillorme started the scoring with an RBI single in the bottom of the second inning. Adrian Del Castillo had two hits for the Diamondbacks.
Eduardo Rodriguez made the start for the Diamond backs. Over 5.1 innings he was charged with five runs on five hits with one walk and five strikeouts. The next 2.2 scoreless innings were delivered by Kevin Ginkel (1.2 innings) and Ryan Thompson (one inning to pick up his seventh win). Justin Martinez came on in the ninth and picked up his seventh save of the season.
Game 3: Mets 3, Diamondbacks 2
The Mets took the rubber match of the series by a ninth inning RBI from Jose Iglesias, aka Candelita. This supported David Peterson, who went seven strong innings again in what is beginning a very solid year for him.
The main Mets power hitters showed up in a big way. Alonso started the scoring in the top of the second with his historic home run, which gave him 221 for his career and 29 on the season. Lindor hit his 28th of the season, in the sixth inning. That was it for the Mets scoring until Iglesias in the ninth. Iglesias has been clutch for the Mets this year, going nine for 18 with 10 RBIs when at bat with two outs and runners in scoring position.
While Peterson did not pick up the win, he lowered his ERA on the season to 2.83 to go with record which stayed at 8-1. Jose Butto then made his series debut with a scoreless eighth. Diaz got right back up on the horse to pick up his 15th save of the year.
Both of Arizona’s runs were scored courtesy of a two-run home run by Randal Grichuk. That home run came in the third inning and gave Arizona a lead of 2-1 at that point.
Starter Ryne Nelson was solid on the mound for the Diamondbacks. His final line was 6.1 innings, giving up two runs on eight hits with no walks and four strikeouts. He was followed by A.J. Puk with 0.2 scoreless and a scoreless inning from Thompson. Martinez took the loss in the ninth inning.
Up Next
The Mets are back on the plane, continuing the road trip. They will take on the White Sox in Chicago for three games. The White Sox come in with a record of 31-104, which is the worst record in the majors. Expected to start for the Mets are Tylor Megill, Jose Quintana, and Manaea.
***Are you interested in sports betting? If so make sure to use our promo code below where you can get your deposit matched (up to $1000), use promo code Sportz***
***Have you tried Dubby?? Are you looking for a Pre-Workout??
Use our promo code : WeLikeSportz for 10% off!
WE LIKE SPORTZ SHOW 
Leave a comment