Mets Morning News: Mets put the ‘L’ in ‘Labor Day’

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The Mets settled for a split of their four-game series with the Phillies after losing 9-8 in extra innings yesterday afternoon. After David Peterson was shelled for five runs over two innings, Erasmo Ramirez stepped in and proved five solid innings of one-run ball in relief. Meanwhile, Andres Gimenez was a wizard in the field and provided a number of dazzling plays to keep the score close. The Mets chipped away with three in the fifth off old friend Zack Wheeler before going ahead on a Jeff McNeil three-run homer in the seventh. Jeurys Familia coughed up the short-lived lead in the eighth and, after a scoreless ninth from Edwin Diaz, the Mets fell behind for good after Miguel Castro surrendered a two-run home run to Jean Segura. The Mets battled back with a run in the ninth, but ultimately fell short.

Choose your recap: Amazin’ Avenue short and long, Daily News, NY Post, North Jersey, MLB.com, Newsday

Yesterday was third base coach Gary DiSarcina’s first game back with the club after the team experienced two COVID-19 cases.

In defeat, Gimenez flashed the leather. In the time he’s been with the Mets, he’s helped shore up the team’s defense.

After yesterday’s loss, David Lennon pondered whether Miguel Castro is the new Edwin Diaz.

Despite the frequent baserunning blunders and the less-than-ideal offensive production, the Cubs have claimed ex-Met Billy Hamilton off waivers.

With Robert Gsellman officially back in the bullpen and Seth Lugo proving he can make it as a starting pitcher, it seems the team’s rotation for the remainder of the year is set, barring injuries.

This week’s Mets Mailbag answers what the team’s rotation may look like in 2021, Dominic Smith’s place on this team going forward, and Jacob deGrom’s chances at winning his third straight Cy Young, among other things.

The New York Times recounted the unlikely friendship between Tom Seaver and fan Elena Gustines, which formed after Ms. Gustines quit watching baseball following the 1994 strike and vowed never to return again unless Seaver asked her to come back.

Around the National League East

The Marlins topped the Braves 5-4 in 10 innings.

The Nationals prevailed against the Rays 6-1.

The Phillies placed Jay Bruce and Roman Quinn on the 10-day IL.

Around Major League Baseball

MLB will celebrate Roberto Clemente day on September 9, and sources indicate that Puerto Rican players will be allowed to wear his number 21 during games that day.

If nothing else, this season is showing us why it’s so hard to build a dynasty.

Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com looked at which rookies have been on fire in 2020.

The Yankees allowed ten (10!!) runs to the Buffalo Blue Jays in the sixth inning of last night’s 12-7 loss. The Yankees, who are still clinging to the final playoff spot in the American League right now, are in danger of missing the playoffs and need to regroup soon.

Cubs outfielder Jason Heyward left a game and was sent to the hospital as a precaution after feeling lightheaded.

Yesterday at Amazin’ Avenue

Episode 78 of From Complex to Queens went up and discussed the team’s recent trades.

A lot has been said about Tom Seaver The Franchise, but Steve Sypa reminisced about Tom Seaver The Prospect in this week’s Prospect Retrospective.

This Date in Mets History

On this date in 2015, the Mets trailed the Nationals 7-1 heading into the seventh inning in a meaningful September baseball game before staging an epic and improbable comeback comeback against a trio of Nationals relievers. The Mets put up a six-spot in the seventh off Blake Treinen and Drew Storen, with Yoenis Cespedes providing the exclamation mark with a bases-clearing double. Later in the inning, Lucas Duda drew the team’s third consecutive walk and sixth of the frame to force Cespedes home with the tying run. With Washington reeling, Jonathan Papelbon entered in the eighth and surrendered a two-out homer to Kirk Nieuwenhuis, which put the Mets ahead for good in a critical 8-7 victory. The Mets would go on to sweep the series en route to winning the National League East.