His first career grand slam in the first inning off left-hander John Lamb (1-4) got thousands of blue-clad New York fans chanting: “Let’s go Mets!”
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The players wore hats with “Postseason” written across the crown. The Mets (88-67) are looking at a likely NL division series matchup with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Lucas Duda cracked open the festivities with a frozen rope grand slam to right field in the first inning. Jordy Mercer had a three-run homer off Jason Hammel.
And for a heavy point of emphasis, Mets leadoff hitter Curtis Granderson crushed a three-run home run in the eighth off J.J. Hoover that made it 12-0.
This title was rather unexpected.
No sooner than these trades had been made, the Mets would sweep the Washington Nationals (who were universally expected not only to win the NL East but to have the best record in MLB). While New York is ready to pop the champagne, Cincinnati might wish to drink away its troubles after losing six in a row and 28 of 40.
Add one more indignity to the Reds’ season: They had to watch the Mets spray champagne all over Great American Ball Park. The Blue Jays are assured of at least a wild-card berth and remained four games clear of the New York Yankees atop the AL East with eight to play. Does he pitch the rest of the season, risking the chance of destroying his career and millions of dollars to fight for a World Series?
“It’s gratifying to see it come together”, Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said. Sometimes the best deals are the ones you don’t make.
It turned some heads, too. That being said, you have to acknowledge the Mets. “We’re going to win this thing and I got to be ready for the playoffs”.
To quote ESPN host Chris Berman, the Mets have been bumblin’ and stumblin’ down the stretch but it seems that a game against the Reds always rights the ship. “They fought off some good pitches”. And we picked them off one at a time and ended up with Cespedes – fortuitously, honestly. “This time of year, it’s usually etched in stone. We’re not like that”. “When that guy gets hot, nobody can get him out”. Collins said Flores looks tired.
The Twins blew a late lead Friday and, with Houston winning, remained 1 1/2 games short of the second wild-card spot. X-rays were negative.
None of this to say that Boras is to blame for keeping Harvey’s longevity in mind – that’s his job – but Harvey was in an impossible situation in weighing preservation vs. contribution to a team when you have no idea if or when you’ll be in a pennant race again.
David Wright now believes the same thing about winning championships.
MIAMI – Jose Fernandez survived a rough first inning and became the first major league pitcher to start his home career with a 17 straight wins.
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Reds: Keyvius Sampson (2-5) has lost his past four decisions. A disagreement between the organization and the ace’s agent, Scott Boras, took center stage as the sides debated a potential innings cap during his first season back from Tommy John surgery.
