Jay Bruce and T.J. Rivera knock in two RBI’seach, and Seth Lugo goes six strong innings as the New York Mets win 6-3, notching five of their last six contests.
- New York Mets 6 (36-42)
- Miami Marlins 3 (35-42)
- W: Seth Lugo (3-1)
- L: Jose Urena (6-3)
- NL, Final, Box Score
- Marlins Park, Miami, Fl
In the opening inning, Jay Bruce had a RBI single to right-center that knocked in Curtis Granderson.
Subsequently, T.J. Rivera, who looked like a solid five batter, hit a line drive double to left field to bring the hustling Bruce in.
In the third inning, the Bruce-T.J. Rivera tandem was at it again. Bruce doubled home Granderson on a pop-up to left field to give the Mets a 3-0 lead.
Then Rivera singled sharply through the left side to make it 4-0.
A sac fly would give the Mets a five-run cushion. However, Lugo would then give up a homer to Giancarlo Stanton in the bottom of the fourth.
https://twitter.com/TheRenderMLB/status/880583304466059264
It would remain that way until the sixth inning, where Lugo started to struggle again, giving up two runs (one earned) and three hits. A Martin Prado single to left to bring Giancarlo Stanton home on a close play at the plate. Cespedes’ throw was right on point, but Stanton ran into Rene Rivera and the ball popped out.
https://twitter.com/EliteSportsNY/status/880594442041925632
Since the ball popped out, Christian Yelich advanced to third on the play. Lugo then threw a wild pitch, but the run was unearned due to the error by Rene Rivera.
The next inning, Granderson would notch a RBI on a groundout, after Matt Reynolds tripled to right field. After that, the Mets would not look back.
.@Areed43 gets the save ?
Series complete ✅ #MetsWin pic.twitter.com/xtwh0YqUpp
— New York Mets (@Mets) June 30, 2017
When you're going home with the series win! ? #LGM pic.twitter.com/pC86jQ5dg1
— New York Mets (@Mets) June 30, 2017
Seth Lugo continues to be a consistent option as a starter, as he pitched six innings, giving up three runs (two earned) on six hits with four strikeouts. He was cruising through the game, until the sixth inning yet again, where he gave up two of the runs. Overall, he has been a breath of fresh air to watch while Harvey, Syndergaard and Gsellman are on the DL.
Jay Bruce finding his way
It hasn’t been talked about much, but Jay Bruce is having a great season for the Amazins. In a lineup with a plethora of injuries, including Yoenis Cespedes for much of the season, Bruce has been in the batting order every day.
This season, he is leading the team in home runs with 20, in RBI’s with 54, and in hits with 78. He is a power hitter that can also hit for average. In a league that has become home-run or bust, he has been anything but that.
T.J Rivera continues to produce
This guy should be in the lineup most days. He is a natural born hitter, that can hit to all sides of the field. With another three hits tonight, he is batting .282 in 151 at bats.
Yes, Wilmer Flores and Lucas Duda give the Mets more power, but it is really hard to watch a player that can hit this well on the bench.
What else to know
Pre All-Star break run? The Mets have now won five of their last six games to end their road trip. They have three series left before the halfway mark.
They can first take advantage of the lowly Phillies at home. Then, they go to Washington to try to yet again, gain some ground in the division. The Nats just lost leadoff hitter Trea Turner, which is a big blow for them. Finally, they end in St. Louis, where the Cardinals have not been playing well this year. New York still has time to get back in this race.
What’s Next?
After a long 10 game road trip, the Mets will travel back to Queens for a quick three-game stop with the Phillies.
Jacob deGrom will look to add to his last three dominant starts when he faces off against Ben Lively tomorrow at 7:10 PM.
