Meet the Mets
Breaking news: The Mets won a baseball game—maybe thanks to some Jerry Koosman magic—snapping a four-game losing streak. They bested the Nationals 5-3 with all five of their runs coming via the home run. After the Nationals went up 2-0 early on Marcus Stroman, Kevin Pillar hit a pair of solo homers—one in the third and one in the fifth—to tie the game at two runs apiece. Stroman settled down after that, allowing just the two runs over six innings of work while striking out five. Trevor May allowed the go-ahead run to score in the seventh on a wild pitch, but Michael Conforto came through in the bottom of the frame with a pinch hit three-run bomb to put the Mets ahead, where they stayed for good. Seth Lugo pitched a scoreless eighth inning, earning his ninth hold of the season and Edwin Díaz shut the door with a 1-2-3 ninth inning, complete with a strikeout, earning his 26th save of the season.
Choose your recap: Amazin’ Avenue short and long, Faith and Fear in Flushing, MLB.com, NY Post, Daily News, Newsday, North Jersey, NJ.com
Of course, the real event last night was the retirement of Jerry Koosman’s number by the Mets. Gary, Keith, and Ron reflected on Koosman’s Mets legacy for SNY.
“I wish I could still fit in my uniform and start over again,” Koosman said at the end of his speech during last night’s number retirement ceremony.
Retiring Koosman’s number was the right move for a franchise that so often does not honor its own history, writes Jay Schreiber of the New York Times.
Marcus Stroman reached a career milestone during last night’s game, pitching his 1,000th big league inning.
James McCann said he doesn’t have a timetable for his return from the injured list, but the Mets expect for him to return “soon,” along with José Peraza.
Jacob deGrom was once again throwing at Citi Field yesterday.
José Martinez, who was finally close to returning after a knee injury has kept him out all season, hyperextended his shoulder on a swing during his rehab game and his being sent to New York for further testing.
Jordan Yamamoto tossed three scoreless innings in his second rehab appearance at Port St. Lucie.
Jeremy Hefner discussed Noah Syndergaard’s reduced fastball velocity.
Dominic Smith was presented with the Joe DiMaggio Toast of the Town Award from Baseball Writers’ Association of America on Friday night.
The Mets have mandated that most of their employees be vaccinated against COVID-19.
Around the National League East
The Braves were shut out by the Giants 5-0.
Ken Davidoff of the Post wrote about how the Braves have been able to build consistent success and how the Mets may be able to look to them rather than the Dodgers as an example.
The Phillies blanked the Diamondbacks 7-0 behind Kyle Gibson.
Zach Eflin was already iffy to return this season, given a recurrence of his knee injury. But he is also one of the Phillies players who tested positive for COVID-19 (he is vaccinated), making the uphill climb even steeper.
Sandy Alcantara, Jesús Sánchez and Bryan De La Cruz were the stars on Dominican Heritage Night in Miami, as the Marlins beat the Reds 6-1.
Around Major League Baseball
Matt Monagan of MLB.com profiled Stephen Ridings—a pitching throwing triple-digits for the Yankees who not too long ago was working as a substitute teacher part-time as a minor leaguer.
Yadier Molina passed Gary Carter for seventh all-time in base hits for a catcher in major league history.
Brian Murphy of MLB.com took a look at which tread deadline pickups are thriving with their new teams in 2021.
How does Adam Wainwright keep doing it? Ben Clemens of Fangraphs takes a deep dive to seek to answer this question.
Rob Arthur of Baseball Prospectus observed that sticky substances produce more drag on the pitch when they are used, in a recognizable pattern.
Yesterday at Amazin’ Avenue
Ken Lavin brought us the Daily Prospect Report, in which all the Mets affiliates won except Triple-A Syracuse.
This Date in Mets History
Today is a somewhat infamous day in Mets history; in their inaugural season in 1962, the Mets lost their 100th game on August 29 with 26 games still to go.