In the Mets first visit to Toronto since 2018, the three game series came down to the finale on Wednesday, and the final inning within that final game. Ultimately, stars will do what they do, and Francisco Lindor solidified an already strong MVP case. With the team being no-hit and trailing 1-0 heading into the ninth inning, in one swing Lindor eliminated the no-hitter, the shutout, and tied the game. With all the momentum at that point, the Mets held on to win the rubber match.
It is also important to recognize the significance of 9/11 on the 23rd anniversary. It is a day that changed America, and a day that changed the world. Many continue to carry the pain and scars of that day, and we will never forget. As a small token of how the universe works sometimes, the Mets seemed like they were down and out heading into the last inning of the rubber game of the series in Toronto, getting no-hit. Fittingly, in inning 9, they sent 11 batters to the plate. They came back, were resilient, and found a way to overcome and win. If that isn’t symbolic of New York, the first responders, and the families in New York, around the country and the world that were affected by 9/11, I don’t know what it is. The Mets helped bring a sense of normalcy back in a small way 23 years ago following 9/11. This year on 9/11, they proudly donned NY first responder caps and never gave up. Again, we will never forget.
With the series concluded, the Mets record stands at 80-66. This is good for at least a tie for the third NL Wild Card spot, with the Atlanta Braves.
Following an off day on Thursday, the Mets return to action in Philadelphia on Friday. They take on the Phillies for a three-game weekend series in Philadelphia. The Phillies remain in first place in the NL East, with a commanding lead.
Here is the rundown by game for the Blue Jays series:
Game 1: Mets 3, Blue Jays 2
Behind a great performance from fill-in starter Tylor Megill, the Mets won an exciting game to kick off the series in Toronto. Trailing 2-1 in the eighth inning, the Mets were able to come back. The winning run was scored by Eddy Alvarez, who was making his Mets debut.
The Mets only produced three hits in the game, all singles by Jose Iglesias, J.D. Martinez, and Francisco Alvarez. The Mets were only one for six with runners in scoring position, with that hit being Martinez’s single to put New York up 1-0 in the fourth.
Megill went six innings, giving up no runs on only one hit, with two walks and nine strikeouts. He filled in for Paul Blackburn, who was supposed to return from the IL but will miss the Toronto series with back pain. Danny Young and Jose Butto followed Megill, and took the seventh. Young was charged with two runs in 0.1 inning, though Butto was charged with the blown save in his 0.2 inning. Ryne Stanek pitched the eighth, and Edwin Diaz took the ninth to pick up his 17th save.
The Blue Jays only produced four hits for the game. Ernie Clement, who entered the game in the seventh inning, had two of the four hits. Spencer Horwitz (double), and Alejandro Kirk (single) had the other Toronto hits. The runs were driven in by Leo Jiménez, who was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, and Nathan Lukes on a sacrifice fly.
Ryan Burr got the start for the Blue Jays, serving as the opener. He went two hitless innings, striking out three. Luis Frias went the next 1.1 hitless innings, before yielding to Ryan Yarbrough. Yarbrough lasted 3.2 innings and was charged with a run. Tommy Nance pitched the eighth, allowing two runs (one earned), picking up his first loss of the season. Erik Swanson pitched a shutout ninth inning.
Game 2: Blue Jays 6, Mets 2
Toronto turned to former Mets pitcher Chris Bassitt to even the series up, and Clement scored three times for the Blue Jays.
The Mets jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning, with Brandon Nimmo driving in Francisco Lindor with an RBI single, his 75th RBI of the season. Nimmo was batting fifth in the lineup instead of his more customary third spot. New York would not safely cross home again until the seventh, when Iglesias scored on a passed ball. Jesse Winker, who went one for two at the plate, also had a great throw to nail Vlad Guerrero, Jr. trying to stretch a single to a double.
David Peterson, who has been very strong for New York this year, was on the mound for the Mets. It did not go as well as previous starts for him. Over 4.1 innings, Peterson was charged with five runs (four earned) on eight hits with two walks and two strikeouts. The loss was only his second of the season, moving his record to 9-2 with a 2.98 ERA. Huascar Brazoban came on in relief, going two innings and allowing a run. Alex Young had the next 0.2 shutout innings, and Adam Ottavino threw a scoreless eighth.
Clement, Horwitz, and Joey Loperfido each had multiple hits in the game for the Blue Jays. Clement had a triple, as did Davis Schneider. Schneider had two RBIs, with the other Toronto runs coming on RBIs from Kirk, Horwitz, Jimenez, and Loperfido.
Bassitt was solid in his six innings, giving up only one run on five hits and a walk with eight strikeouts. He picked up his 10th win, moving to 10-13 with a 4.20 ERA for the season. Brendon Little took the next 0.1 inning, charged with a run. Zach Pop came in for the next 0.2 inning, before a scoreless inning each from Genesis Cabrera and Chad Green.
Game 3: Mets 6, Blue Jays 2
As mentioned above, the Mets trailing heading into the ninth inning, by a score of 1-0, and had not had a hit. Bowden Francis was masterful for Toronto, losing a no-hitter in the last inning for the second time in 18 days.
Lindor hit the first of two home runs for the Mets in the ninth, which were also the only two home runs hit by either team in the series. The Mets produced those six runs on only four hits. In addition to Lindor’s home run, Alvarez added a three-run shot, Tyrone Taylor had a double, and Iglesias a single. Interestingly, despite being no-hit through eight innings, the Mets only struck out once during the game.
Sean Manaea pitched a great game to keep the Mets in it. Over 6.2 innings, he surrendered only one run on three hits, with four walks and eight strikeouts. Reed Garrett came in and provided a shutout inning in relief, following by 0.1 inning from Danny Young, who got credit for the win. With the Mets up 6-1 entering the bottom of the ninth, Stanek started the ninth and went 0.2 inning, giving up a run. Diaz came in to get the last out on a first-pitch pop up, picking up his 18th save.
All of Toronto’s hits were singles, and they went one for nine with runners in scoring position. Clement had another good day at the plate, with two hits. Schneider drove in the game’s first run in the fourth inning on a fielder’s choice. Then, in the bottom of the ninth, Addison Barger singled to drive in the second and final run.
Francis was masterful on the mound for the Blue Jays. His final line was eight innings, giving up one run on one hit (he left after the Lindor home run), with one walk and one strikeout. Green felt the wrath of the New York momentum, going 0.2 inning and getting charged with four runs. Cabrera went the final 0.1 inning and was charged with a run.
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