The Phillies gave up the “cycle” of homers – a solo shot, a two-run blast, a three-run homer and a grand slam – on Saturday for the first time since May 17, 1979.
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Wilmer Flores pinch-ran for Cabrera and remained in the game at third base.
Cabrera in the two hole has worked wonders for Terry Collins. “They’re not missing too many mistakes”, the 2011 AL Rookie of the Year said.
Mets: RHP Rafael Montero (0-0, 11.57 ERA) has the hard task of facing All-Star RHP Jose Fernandez (13-7, 2.91) in his first big league start of the season as the Mets begin an important four-game series with Miami at Citi Field. The 30-year-old remained in the game but left after advancing to second on a single by Kelly Johnson.
“The confidence is back”, Collins said.
The Mets offense, meanwhile, finished the contest 1-for-5 with runners in scoring position, lowering their already-league-worst.216 RISP average.
NY has posted at least nine runs in three straight for the first time since June 2012 – and scored nine or more in successive home games for the first time since September 2008.
The days of uncertainty seemed to be vanishing in the New York Mets’ rearview mirror over the past week.
Collins indicated the injuries to Cespedes, Walker and Cabrera could necessitate daily maintenance for the rest of the season. Mostly healthy at last after lagging through much of the summer as one of baseball’s weakest offenses, the Mets have totaled 31 runs while winning their past three games.
“I think the energy we have right now is taking us back to last season”. His 16th home run in the third inning gave the Mets the lead, this after the Phillies scored their lone run in the third inning on a solo home run off the bat of Freddy Galvis. Since July 27, he has hit.440 with 7 home runs and 15 RBIs.
“The confidence at the plate”, Cabrera said. “The energy is just different in the room right now”. The Phillies are also 19-6-2 to the high side in their last 27 overall.
Not possible for these Mets at one point past year to score runs in bunches, and it was not possible a little over a week ago.
Not to be bypassed is the pitching of righthander Noah Syndergaard, 12-7, who tossed 7.0 innings and allowed one run earned on two hits. He was later removed from the game for what the team called “a sore left knee”.
Robert Gsellman was great for the first six innings today, giving up only one run, walking one, and striking out five. “Not thinking too far into the game”, he said.
But if the Mets get the sweep Sunday afternoon, then they can start to think ahead about definitely being in this wild card chase to the end. And who have have thought that just a week ago?
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“We’ll have to continue to monitor how they feel each day”, he said.
