Meet the Mets
Tomas Nido’s walk-off home run in the thirteenth inning lifted the Mets to an extra-inning 5-4 victory over the Tigers at Citi Field. Wilson Ramos homered twice in the win. Jason Vargas tossed five innings in his return from the injured list and gave up one run on five hits, striking out three and walking three. Edwin Diaz was unable to strand his inherited runner and blew his first save, but Wilmer Font and Hector Santiago each delivered two scoreless innings of work out of the bullpen, the latter earning the win, his first of the year.
Choose your recap: Amazin’ Avenue short and long, NY Times, Post, Daily News, Newsday, MLB.com, Bergen County Record.
Wilson Ramos is beginning to turn things around, which is good news for the Mets.
Friday’s loss demonstrated that the Mets can’t be successful with stopgap solutions forever, writes Ken Davidoff. They will either need to get their best players healthy, or go after the top tier talent still available.
Brandon Nimmo has been diagnosed with a bulging disc in his neck and whiplash as a result of his collision with the outfield wall on April 14th. He received a steroid injection to reduce the inflammation and is working with a chiropractor to help resolve the issue. Because the disc is not ruptured, he does not need surgery.
The Mets are taking a flyer on Matt Kemp, who had a .290/.338/.481 slash line in 2018 before his 2019 season was derailed by injury. His deal with the Mets has no opt-outs, reports Matt Ehalt.
Zack Wheeler has found his slider again, he told Tim Britton in an interview for The Athletic. Having that pitch working is key to his success on the mound and he feels poised for a breakout.
David Lennon discusses why he thinks the Mets have decided to stick with Mickey Callaway.
Dominic Smith used to let negative thoughts about the lack of success pinch hitters have statistically rule his mindset. He doesn’t anymore, writes Justin Toscano.
If Pete Alonso wins the Home Run Derby, he plans to donate a portion of the $1 million cash prize to the Wounded Warrior Project.
Around the National League East
Patrick Corbin tossed a complete game shutout in the Nationals’ 5-0 win over the Marlins.
The Nationals sent Joe Ross to Triple-A and called up righty James Bourque. They also signed veteran reliever George Kontos to a minor league contract.
Jake Arrieta was brilliant for the Phillies, as they bested the Brewers 7-2. “We’re one of the best teams in baseball,” Arrieta said after the game.
The Braves also benefitted from a gem from their starter Mike Soroka, but the bullpen fell apart in the eighth, as they lost to Cardinals 6-3.
Ender Inciarte remains sidelined with a lumbar strain and is not yet ready to resume baseball activities.
Around Major League Baseball
Longtime Dallas Morning News sports journalist Gerry Fraley died yesterday morning at the age of 64 after a two-year battle with cancer. Tributes and positive words about Fraley poured in from across the baseball media yesterday.
The Mets weren’t the only walk-off win yesterday. The Astros walked it off against the Red Sox after the Red Sox mounted a comeback against Roberto Osuna.
Clayton Kershaw’s son has already mastered the bat flip at age 2.
Rather than go after the available Dallas Keuchel, the Padres seem interested in trading for a starting pitcher.
The Indians have promoted prospect Zach Plesac.
The Pirates are promoting their top pitching prospect as well. Mitch Keller is set to make his major league debut against the Reds in Cincinnati.
Fracisco Cervelli exited yesterday’s game with a possible concussion.
The Angels have placed the struggling Matt Harvey on the injured list with an upper back strain.
Yesterday at Amazin’ Avenue
Liam Murphy covered the injury update on Brandon Nimmo.
Ken Lavin gave us the Daily Prospect Report.
This Date in Mets History
On this date in 2012, Johan Santana needed just 96 pitches to shut out the San Diego Padres. Of course, this came one turn through the rotation before an even more memorable start of his—a little preview of things to come.