Mets Morning News: Defense in DC

Meet the Mets

The Mets beat the Nationals 3-1 on the back of a fantastic start from Rick Porcello (yes, you read that right) and stellar defense (yes, you read that right too). The Mets made Max Scherzer work early and scratched out a run in the first inning from a Dominic Smith sacrifice fly. Scherzer was then forced to leave the game early with what seemed like a leg injury. Porcello gave up a run in the first inning but then settled in for six subsequent scoreless innings. The Mets took the lead in the fourth thanks to a Luis Guillorme RBI single off Erick Fedde and protected that lead in the bottom of the frame with back-to-back sparkling defensive plays from Michael Conforto and J.D. Davis. The Mets then added an insurance run in the seventh and Seth Lugo closed the door with a six-out save to secure the win for the Mets.

Choose Your Recap: Amazin’ Avenue short and long, Daily News, ESPN, MLB.com, Newsday, NY Post

Andres Gimenez is impressing the Mets in the early going. “He is doing different things, spraying the ball,” said manager Luis Rojas about the young shortstop. “He used to be like a slap hitter, now he is this guy that if you make a mistake with him he can do some real damage, so great job by him with the muscle part getting stronger and also working on the hitting mechanics to become the hitter he is right now.”

Marcus Stroman is scheduled to throw another simulated game in Brooklyn today as he attempts to come back from a torn calf muscle.

Meanwhile, Jeff McNeil and Amed Rosario underwent their pregame routines to determine availability for yesterday’s game and should avoid the injured list. McNeil called his injury “very minor.”

Robinson Cano says he expects to return from the injured list as soon as he is eligible.

MLB tweeted a trailer for On First with Pete Alonso, which is clips of Pete mic’d up during games. Spoiler alert: it’s good.

The Mets acquired RHP Ariel Jurado from the Texas Rangers in exchange for cash considerations and a player to be named later.

Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez, still in contention to buy the Mets, took a VIP tour of Citi Field on Wednesday.

Around the National League East

Max Scherzer left yesterday’s game after just one inning due to a leg injury. He later revealed that he had “tweaked” his hamstring the day before after it was bothering him a bit during his last start.

The Braves placed Ozzie Albies on the 10-day injured list with a right wrist bone contusion. He will be shut down for a week before being reevaluated. Matt Adams is also sidelined with a strained left hamstring.

The Braves lost to the Blue Jays 2-1 as Sean Newcomb delivered a solid performance, but was not granted any run support by his team.

The Phillies and Yankees played a seven-inning doubleheader yesterday, which the two teams split. The Phillies took the first game 11-7 behind Zack Wheeler with J.T. Realmuto going 2-for-3 with a home run, two RBIs, two walks, and two runs scored. Aaron Nola struck out a dozen Yankees in the second game, but the Bronx Bombers still bested the Phillies 3-1 in that contest.

The Marlins and Orioles also played two seven-inning games yesterday with the Marlins earning the sweep. Elieser Hernandez worked 4 ¹⁄₃ hitless innings in the first game, as the Marlins shut out the Orioles for the second straight game and won 1-0 with the only run coming on a Brian Anderson solo homer. The Marlins had a bullpen game for the second contest and managed to pull off a 2-1 victory.

Around Major League Baseball

If the baseball season makes it long enough that the playoffs are held, they should be held at neutral sites, argues Evan Drellich of The Athletic.

Dodgers co-owner Magic Johnson—who has dealt with health issues of his own—has some advice for baseball players trying to play in the era of coronavirus: “You can’t be selfish.”

Despite the Marlins and Cardinals outbreaks, Rob Manfred argues that MLB’s protocols are working. “I think the vast majority of our players have done a really good job adhering to what are difficult protocols,” Manfred said to ESPN.

But to continue to keep players, coaches, and staff safe, MLB and MLBPA agreed to some new protocols that will take effect today. Staff and players must wear masks everywhere except on the field itself, including the dugouts, bullpen, and in hotels on the road except when alone in their rooms. Surgical masks (not cloth) are required on planes and busses.

Teams were sent memos outlining these protocols, as well as the consequences for breaking them, which include risk of being prohibited from participating further in the season. The league will send written warnings prior to taking any action.

Aside from rosters remaining at 28 for the rest of the season, doubleheaders will allow for a 29th player and the taxi squad may increase from three to five players.

White Sox phenom second baseman Nick Madrigal has separated his left shoulder.

Yesterday at Amazin’ Avenue

Ken Lavin remembered Game 3 of the Eastern League Championship Series in 2014 as an all-time great moment in Mets minor league history.

This Date in Mets History

Yogi Berra’s time as manager of the Mets came to an end on this date in 1975.