Mets Morning News: Hours after news of Alderson’s cancer relapse, Mets get another walk-off from Wilmer

Meet the Mets

After seven solid innings from Steven Matz and a tightly contested, back-and-forth nine innings, the Mets and Pirates went to extra innings tied at 3-3. Then, the Mets’ walk-off king, Wilmer Flores, struck again, bringing in Michael Conforto with a game-winning single. The 4-3 win was the first Mets victory since last Monday in Denver.

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Mets general manager Sandy Alderson delivered some sad news on Tuesday afternoon, announcing that he will be taking a leave of absence to battle a cancer relapse. John Ricco, JP Ricciardi, and Omar Minaya will handle all day-to-day operations for the remainder of the 2018 season.

Despite a relatively optimistic prognosis, Alderson has hinted at the possibility that his time as Mets GM may be over. Joel Sherman breaks down the impact of Alderson’s leave of absence on the team’s future, while Anthony Rieber reminds us that the GM’s health is more important than the team’s win-loss record.

Andy Martino of MetsBlog shares his thoughts on Sandy Alderson’s career as a baseball executive and on his impact outside the game.

In his first public comments during the 2018 season, Jeff Wilpon said he is frustrated with the team’s performance.

Kate Feldman wonders if Mickey Callaway knew what he was walking into when he took the job as Mets manager, and more importantly, what his role in the organization actually is.

The benches cleared for a brief moment in the eighth inning of Tuesday’s game, after Jeurys Familia took exception to a hard slide from Josh Harrison.

Jay Bruce will not return from the disabled list on Friday despite being eligible to do so and has yet to begin swinging a bat, according to Matt Ehalt.

John Harper believes the Mets’ struggles can be blamed on an inability to develop prospects, and that the problem begins in the front office.

Peter Botte thinks Tim Tebow will appear on the Mets’ major league roster before the end of the 2018 season.

After serving as an analyst for Fox during the 2017 postseason, Keith Hernandez will not be asked to return this fall.

Around the National League East

Matt Weyrich at Federal Baseball calls for Major League Baseball to redesign the first-base bag, after Maikel Franco slipped during Sunday’s game between the Phillies and Nationals.

Nate Eovaldi pitched six innings and allowed only one hit as the Rays shut out the Nationals 1-0 on Tuesday night. The benches cleared after the game at Tropicana Field, with the incident apparently stemming from a confrontation three weeks ago between Michael Taylor and Sergio Ramos.

In an excellent feature piece, Justin Klugh at The Good Phight profiles a day in the life of Phillies’ field reporter Gregg Murphy. Luis Severino pitched seven brilliant innings and picked up his twelfth win as the Yankees routed the Phillies, 6-0.

The Diamondbacks scored two runs each in the third and fifth en route to a 5-3 win in Miami. Kyle Barraclough still has not allowed a hit in the last month, and Ely Sussman breaks down his incredible streak for Fish Stripes.

Matt Harvey held the Braves in check for 6 ²⁄₃ innings, and the Reds pulled out a 5-3 win as some disturbing news broke in Atlanta. The dead body of a third-party contractor was reportedly found in a walk-in freezer at SunTrust Park. Cobb County Police have launched an investigation.

Around Major League Baseball

At Fangraphs, Travis Sawchik writes about Aaron Hicks’ recent offensive breakout as a compelling reason for the Yankees to not sign Bryce Harper.

Meanwhile, Carson Cistulli puzzled over Jon Jay’s unusually high BABIP, David Laurilla interviewed Colin Moran, and Jeff Sullivan had some interesting poll results to share.

David Schoenfield of ESPN thinks the Brewers should trade for Jacob deGrom. Milwaukee also placed Lorenzo Cain on the disabled list with a groin strain.

The Cubs placed Kris Bryant on the 10-day disabled list with shoulder inflammation.

Major League Baseball released their final update on fan voting for the American League All-Star Team.

As many players on the two teams gear up for their first (shortened) season of professional baseball, Arkansas took down Oregon State in Game 1 of the College World Series.

Yesterday at Amazin’ Avenue

Lukas Vlahos delivered your daily report from the farm.

Steve Sypa profiled the Mets’ twenty-ninth and thirtieth draft picks: Nelson Mompierre and Chandler Avant.

Jorge Eckardt covered Gerson Bautista’s call-up, while Marshall Field wrote about Sandy Alderson’s leave of absence.

On this date in Mets History:

The Mets signed 17-year-old Ed Kranepool to a contract on this date in 1962. He would make his debut that September, and spend his entire eighteen year career with the Mets.