The resurgent New York Mets aim for their first series sweep in almost two months when they host the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday afternoon in the finale of a three-game set. As Joseph reached for Velazquez’s high throw, Cabrera’s left arm made contact with Joseph’s left hip. The Mets hope this was just a cautious move to remove their starting shortstop from the game and not a sign of a lingering injury. He stayed in the game to advance to second on Kelly Johnson’s single, but left after another visit from the training staff. Cabrera appeared to twist awkwardly after the collision. The Mets left eight men on base, and really felt the absences of Yoenis Cespedes and Neil Walker in the lineup today, both of whom were nursing not-fully-healed injuries.
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Robert Gsellman was great for the first six innings today, giving up only one run, walking one, and striking out five.
Hansel Robles came on in relief and Ellis drove the right-hander’s fourth pitch over Curtis Granderson’s head in left field, scoring Joseph and Altherr with his first hit for his new team.
Ellis was acquired Thursday from the Los Angeles Dodgers in a trade for longtime Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz.
Pinch-hitter Peter Bourjos was hit by a pitch from Robles with the bases loaded, forcing in another run. Velasquez (8-6, 4.31 ERA) is 0-3 with an 8.86 ERA in four August starts but does have an impressive 29 strikeouts in 21 1/3 innings during that stretch.
Mets: LHP Steven Matz (shoulder) threw a bullpen and is expected to throw another one before coming off the disabled list to start Thursday against Miami rather than Wednesday, Collins said.
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After a surprising trip to the World Series in 2015, the Mets now sit outside of the playoffs in the National League, trailing the St. Louis Cardinals by 2.5 games for the second wild card spot. Gsellman, 23, was 1-5 with a 5.73 ERA in nine starts with Triple-A Las Vegas.
