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. First pitch is set for 10:10 a.m. PT at Citi Field where NY is a moneyline favorite of -137.
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And just when the Mets were beginning to build some momentum in the NL wild-card race, those three recurring injuries stalled them again.
With the score 1-all in the seventh, Philadelphia loaded the bases with nobody out on singles by Joseph, Aaron Altherr and Jimmy Paredes off Robert Gsellman (1-1), who was very effective to that point in his first major league start.
The rookie left to a nice round of applause from the crowd of 32,033, and gave way to Hansel Robles. The veteran catcher was acquired Thursday from the Los Angeles Dodgers in a trade for longtime Philadelphia backstop Carlos Ruiz.
Marlins 7, Padres 6: Chris Johnson’s run-scoring ground-rule double with two outs in the bottom of the ninth gave the Marlins the win.
Cesar Hernandez added a sacrifice fly to make it 5-1. It will be the second career appearance for Gsellman, who won his debut on Tuesday by throwing 3 2/3 innings of scoreless relief in place of injured left-hander Jonathon Niese in the Mets’ 7-4 victory over the Cardinals. Hellickson (L, 10-8) ran into more problems in the fifth, putting two men on with two out in the fourth inning.
The explosion came on a night when the Mets would only have needed two runs due a second straight dominant start by Syndergaard, who has allowed just four hits in his last 15 innings. Coming off eight shutout innings against the Giants last Sunday, the big right-hander allowed just two hits over seven innings, his only blemish hanging a curveball that Freddy Galvin deposited into the seats for the Phillies’ lone run.
The Mets have scored 76 runs in their last 12 games with 22 home runs and with the rout, have now won 12 of their last 14 series against the Phillies and six of their last seven overall.
Cabrera first received a base-path visit from the Mets’ trainer after he collided with Phillies’ first baseman Tommy Joseph. Cabrera appeared to twist awkwardly after the collision. The 30-year-old remained in the game but left after advancing to second on a single by Kelly Johnson.
Today’s Player of the Game award goes collectively to the Mets’ offense.
Cabrera missed 17 games with a strained patella tendon in his left knee, returning from the disabled list with Cespedes on August 19. The next half-inning, following a single to left by third baseman Jose Reyes, Cabrera went yard to left center on a 91 miles per hour fastball off Hellickson to put the Mets on top, 2-1.
Morgan, hit by a line drive earlier this season, spun around and crouched in front of the mound as he caught his breath. He has 26 homers and 67 RBI’s to go with a nERD of 2.28.
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“It looks like a completely different team”, Collins said. Phillies manager Pete Mackanin called it “typical Syndergaard” and for good reason – he’s 4-0 with a 1.37 ERA in four starts against the Phillies.
