Final Score: Mets 3, Twins 2—Minneapolis Miracle

Do not attempt to adjust your television sets, because the New York Mets’ bullpen did in fact manage to hold a lead tonight. Staked to a 3-2 lead after scoring the go-ahead run in the fifth inning, a combination of six relievers pitched five shutout innings as they bested the Minnesota Twins.

The Mets jumped ahead in the first, with the sure-handed Twins exhibiting some Mets-like defensive woes. After Jeff McNeil and Michael Conforto led off with back-to-back singles, a passed ball that got by Twins’ catcher Jason Castro moved them into scoring position with one out. From there, Robinson Cano’s sacrifice fly drove in the first run, and a Jonathan Schoop error with Conforto on third resulted in the team building a two-run lead.

In a night filled with surprises—the aforementioned bullpen’s performance being one of them—Steven Matz pitching a scoreless first inning was certainly a big one. Although he was efficient at the beginning of his start, he labored later on and allowed a Schoop home run in the third and the tying run to score in the fourth. He exited after 68 pitches, but the bullpen took over and carried the load.

The Mets went ahead in the fifth after Conforto singled to bring home Amed Rosario with the deciding run. The slumping Conforto had a big night, contributing four hits after picking up nine over his last 16 games. He also made a terrific catch up against the wall in center to potentially save a run in the third. Edwin Diaz survived a shaky ninth inning to pick up his 21st save.

Full recap to follow.

GameThread Roll Call

Nice job by MetsFan4Decades; her effort in the GameThread embiggens us all.

1. MetsFan4Decades: 106
2. deegie: 61
3. JR and the Off-Balance Shots: 45
4. AnneInFlushing: 34
5. Rajohnnn: 28
6. Teddy2Diggs: 27
7. John Oldnrude: 25
8. BK_Machetero3191: 20
9. stickguy: 19
10. NateW: 17