Travis d’Arnaud and Curtis Granderson supplied all the offense the New York Mets needed to beat the Philadelphia Phillies 2-1 at Citi Field Friday night. But Jacob deGrom stole the show once again.
- New York Mets 2 (37-42)
- Philadelphia Phillies 1 (26-53)
- W: Jacob deGrom (8-3)
- L: Ben Lively (1-3)
- SV: Addison Reed (13)
- NL, Final. Box Score
- Citi Field, Flushing, NY
Lively delivered a surprisingly strong performance in what turned into a pitchers duel against deGrom, but the Mets were able to do just a little more damage than their opponents to take home a one-run victory.
The Mets opened the scoring in the bottom of the second inning as Granderson delivered a RBI infield single, scoring T.J. Rivera from third base. But a valiant effort from former Mets infielder Ty Kelly made it a much closer play than it should have been.
A one-out triple by Jose Reyes in the bottom of the fourth inning set the scene for the Mets second and final run of the day. Facing a 0-1 count, d’Arnaud lined one past a diving Freddy Galvis into left field, allowing Reyes to score easily and give the Mets a 2-0 lead.
Philadelphia was still looking for its first hit of the game as the fifth inning began, and deGrom retired the first two batters he faced. The way he was dealing, you couldn’t help but think that a no-hitter might be unfolding.
Then this happened.
Granderson couldn’t locate a routine fly ball off the bat of Phillies catcher Andrew Knapp and, by the time he did, the ball was over his head. A questionable decision by the official scorer gave Knapp a triple, ending deGrom’s chance at the first no-hitter of his career.
How easy should that catch have been? According to MLB’s Statcast (via ESPN Stats and Information), the answer is very.
Curtis Granderson had a 99% catch probability on the fly ball he did not catch which broke up Jacob deGrom's no-hitter.
(Via: @statcast)
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) July 1, 2017
As you’d expect, a former Met — Kelly — was next to the plate and bought Knapp home with a RBI single to left field, cutting the Mets lead in half. But that was all the Phillies could muster.
After seven strong innings from deGrom, Mets manager Terry Collins called upon relievers Jerry Blevins and Paul Sewald, who combined to pitch a scoreless eighth. Addison Reed picked up his 13th save of the season with a perfect ninth to end the game.
While Granderson’s miscue was costly, it doesn’t overshadow what was yet another dominant performance from deGrom (7 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 12 K), who became one of just two pitchers with at least 12 strikeouts in three starts this season.
Jacob deGrom: 3rd game this season with at least 12 strikeouts, tied with Chris Sale for most in MLB.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) July 1, 2017
Up Next
The Mets will look to extend their winning streak to four Saturday afternoon as Zack Wheeler (3-5, 5.29 ERA), is expected to make his first start since being placed on the disabled list with biceps tendinitis on June 21.
Philadelphia will counter with Jeremy Hellickson (5-5, 4.40 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 4:10 p.m. ET.