Mets Morning News: Frazier hits two bombs as Mets end their losing streak

Meet the Mets

The Mets came into Philadelphia having lost six straight games and desperately needing a win to keep their dwindling playoff hopes alive. After being almost entirely lifeless during that losing streak and for most of last night, the Mets offense finally came to life towards the end of the game, as the team scored eleven runs in the final three innings to beat the Phillies 11-5. They’ll try to begin a new winning streak today at 4:05, with Steven Matz taking the mound against former Met Jason Vargas.

Choose your recap: Amazin’ Avenue short and long, Daily News, New York Times, MLB.com, Newsday, Post

In an effort to jump-start the beleaguered offense, Mickey Callaway moved Pete Alonso to the two-hole in the lineup last night. The move had immediate dividends, as the rookie first baseman provided three hits in his new spot in the order.

If the Mets are going to defy the odds and make their way back into the postseason race, it’s going to have to be on the backs of the starting pitching.

Regardless of how the rest of this season plays out, the Mets late-season surge had plenty of value, as did their decision to buy at the trading deadline.

Robinson Cano is set to begin a rehab assignment for the Brooklyn Cyclones on Saturday. While it originally seemed as though his torn left hamstring would end his 2019 season, the news indicates that the Mets second baseman may well be gearing up for a September return to the major league club.

The Mets have announced several shakeups to their front office and scouting departments over the past couple days. The latest news on that front is that Ruben Amaro Jr. will be pursuing other opportunities with different clubs, even though the Mets offered to let him keep his same role.

Former Mets infielder and minor league manager Wally Backman was arrested on Friday morning on a domestic violence charge. The 1986 Mets alumnus has an unfortunate history of off-the-field troubles, which have played a big role in his dreams of managing in the major leagues going unfulfilled. This latest incident will certainly not help his cause on that front.

Around the National League East

The Braves offense put up a 10-spot in support of starter Max Fried, who struck out 11 and won his sixth straight decision as Atlanta prevailed over the White Sox 10-7.

The Nationals and the Marlins faced off against each other last night. Daniel Hudson entered the ninth with a one-run lead and surrendered two runs to blow the save for Washington. However, Ryne Stanek was subsequently unable to close it down for the Marlins, as he surrendered a walk-off two-run single to Anthony Rendon to give the Nationals a 7-6 win.

Around Major League Baseball

Nicholas Castellanos hit yet another home run to help the Cubs defeat the Brewers 7-1. The win ensured that the Cubs would maintain their lead over the other NL clubs (including the Mets) in the wild card race.

The Diamondbacks had a late comeback against the Dodgers and scored the go-ahead run on a balk to prevail over their division rivals 5-4. Arizona has now won five straight games as they attempt to claw their way back into the postseason hunt.

There was an update to the tragic case of Tyler Skaggs’s tragic death two months ago, as yesterday an autopsy report revealed that the Angels pitcher had traces of fentanyl, oxycodone, and alcohol in his system at the time of his death. Skaggs is believed to have choked on his own vomit while under the influence. The Angels promised to further investigate the circumstances behind which their deceased pitcher came in possession of the drugs.

MLB.com ranked the teams which are dark horses to make a run for the postseason despite have playoff odds below 25% over at FanGraphs. The Mets make an early appearance on this list, which would be nice if it weren’t for the fact that their recent losing streak is the only reason they qualify for it in the first place.

Richard Justice ranked the top free agent signings of the past offseason. Alas, on this list the Mets are not represented.

Tyler Naquin made a sensational catch at Tropicana Field last night, but it came at a cost, as the Indians outfielder had to be carted off the field after colliding with the left field wall. There’s not yet any word on whether a trip to the IL will be required, but that would be a costly blow to an Indians club that is fighting for a postseason spot.

The Yankees placed Gio Urshela on the injured list with a left groin injury. With that move, the Bombers set an illustrious MLB record for most injured players in a single season, as it marks the 36th time a player has hit the IL for the team.

Yesterday at Amazin’ Avenue

It’s been a week of ups and downs for the Mets, and Joe Sokolowski tracked the wave of emotions that the players and coaches felt through the quotes they’ve provided over that timespan.

Vasilis Drimalitis previewed the series against the Phillies, and he predicted that the Mets would continue to flounder by dropping two of three to their division rivals. Last night was a good first step towards the team proving him wrong.

A Pod of Their Own announced that they would be joining forces/competing with Cuppa Cubbie Blue to raise money for the National Domestic Violence Hotline in September. Click the link for more details, including on how you can take part in their noble efforts.

This Date in Mets History

On this date in 2002, the Mets lost to the Phillies 1-0 at Shea Stadium. Said loss would be mostly inconsequential except for one unfortunate fact: it meant that the club concluded the month of August with an absolutely brutal 0-for-13 record at home. Their overall record for the month—6-20—was pretty horrifying as well, but the team’s ineptitude in their own ballpark was particularly historic.