Manager Don Mattingly is starting Jose Urena (2-5) who is 0-1 with a 4.00 ERA vs the Mets, but has only allowed three runs in eleven and two thirds innings over his last two appearances.
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Former Madison Mallards pitcher Jake Esch made his Major League Baseball debut with the Miami Marlins on Wednesday. Things have turned around dramatically since then, with the Mets picking up nine wins over their next 11 games to finish the month at 69-64. After a back breaking win last night, the surging, Mets manger announced Neil Walker expected to undergo season ending injury.
“The issue is, the herniated disk is causing weakness in one of his legs”, Collins said before the game.
Already without Matt Harvey (thoracic outlet syndrome) for the remainder of the year and with lingering injuries to Noah Syndergaard (bone spur), Steven Matz (shoulder/elbow), Asdrubal Cabrera (knee) and Yoenis Cespedes (quad), losing Walker comes at an inopportune moment. “The numbness is keeping him from playing”. Of that quintet, only left-hander A.J. Ramos has returned to the active roster.
The game remained tied until the eighth when Kelly Johnson came up to bat with two outs and the bases loaded. He emphatically clapped his hands and swung his arms into the air after reaching second base.
The New York Mets are losing players nearly as fast as they are winning games.
The victory gave NY a 15-14 record in August, the first winning month for the team this season. Despite all of the Marlins bad luck they are still in the wild-card race opening September three and half games back of the Cardinals.
Nats 2, Phillies 1 • Jayson Werth homered and Gio Gonzalez pitched six strong innings to lead visiting Washington. “He did what he’s supposed to do with that in a big situation”. Christian Yelich homered for the third straight game and 18th time this season.
NY had plenty of opportunities against starter Jake Esch, who was making his major league debut. Also Urena has given up two runs or fewer in four of is last six starts. Jeff Francouer entered the game in right and Suzuki slid over to center.
One inning later Wilmer was robbed of a hit by Marcell Ozuna who prevented a run from scoring with his incredible catch. After initially stepping to his left, Ozuna quickly changed direction, ranging to his right and making a slick grab before tumbling over. He rolled over several times before coming to a stop.
Ozuna left the game at the start of the fourth. X-rays were negative and he is day to day.
Esch was pressed into duty after scheduled starter David Phelps was placed on the 15-day disabled list before the game with a strained oblique. Phelps, who suffered the injury Tuesday on his first swing of batting practice, had a 2.59 ERA since moving into the rotation at the beginning of August.
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RHP Jacob deGrom (7-7, 2.96 ERA) pitches the series finale against RHP Jose Urena (2-5, 5.83 ERA) opposes deGrom.
