“It’s over. Focus on tomorrow”. Cespedes, not surprisingly, didn’t play subsequent to wounding two fingers on his left hand when he was hit by a pitch Wednesday night. “For me, that’s the only way you’re going to get the rhythm and release points and stuff you need, when there’s a little excitement in the air”. Now they take the field against the Philadelphia Phillies who are trying to end on a high note and sweep the Mets. There was not one part of the game or anybody involved in the last time this happened.
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Rich Schultz/Getty Images A verys sparse crowd is on hand to watch Phillies – Mets at Citizens Bank Park. Just a few hundred fans were in the stands for an amusement that was climbed seven hours in light of the fact that overwhelming precipitation is normal later.
That served as the winning blow mostly because Jerad Eickhoff finished his season looking like a solid No. 2 rotation righty for 2016. “He’s a great competitor”.
Eickhoff has made eight major league starts since arriving in the big leagues six weeks ago today and ended his 2015 season with a sparkling 2.65 ERA following a 3-0 win over the Mets yesterday afternoon.
Rich Schultz/Getty Images Sean Gilmartin gives up a two-run HR in the fourth inning to Darin Ruf.
“As a competitor I’m not wanting to come out there and for Pete to stick with me, that meant a lot to me”, Eickhoff said.
The Mets lost a critical chance to go up two games on the Dodgers with just four games left to play. “My focus was to get quick innings”. Lefty reliever Dario Alvarez gave up a solo home run to Andres Blanco in the eighth.
Eickhoff, one of several prospects the Phillies acquired from Texas in the trade for Cole Hamels, has been impressive. Eickhoff is coming off of an 8-2 win at Washington where he allowed both runs on five hits in seven frames.
After watching the Nationals lose in an NLDS game in the 18th inning last season, the Mets are concerned about having enough pitching on their playoff roster and balancing it with bench players. It was the longest such streak in the NL since 1900.
Steven Matz’s back is feeling “better” according to manager Terry Collins, and the hope is to have the left-hander pitch in relief against the Nationals either Saturday or Sunday. SS Wilmer Flores (back spasms) is “pretty stiff”, according to Collins. He might not be ready Friday…. 3B Juan Uribe (chest) is scheduled for tests on Friday. Franco has been on the DL with a broken left wrist since August 18.
September began with the Mets in the middle of a series with the Philadelphia Phillies, and the Mets split the final two games of the three game set before embarking on a 10 game road trip.
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Phillies: RHP Aaron Harang (6-15, 4.86) opens a three-game series against Miami.
