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deGromination, Offensive Outburst Deliver New York Mets Home-Opening Win (Highlights)

By
Jeremy Fialkow
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The New York Mets moved above .500 for the first time this season with a home opening drubbing of the winless Philadelphia Phillies.

  • New York Mets 7 (2-1)
  • Philadelphia Phillies 2 (0-4)
  • MLB, Final Box Score
  • Citi Field, Flushing, New York 

By Jeremy Fialkow
What a way to start home baseball.

It began with Mets’ greats Edgardo Alfonzo, John Franco and Rusty Staub helping to raise an NL championship banner in a pregame ceremony.

Then, opening up in front of the largest crowd in regular season history at Citi Field, the New York Mets drubbed the Philadelphia Phillies by five runs.

RELATED: New York Mets Raise 2015 NL Championship Banner (Video)

This was the Mets first game since earning a season-opening series split in Kansas City on Tuesday afternoon.

Per ESPN’s Adam Rubin, the official attendance at Friday’s game landed at 44,099. After today’s win, the Mets are now 35-20 all-time in home-openers and 5-3 at the new ballpark.

Home DeGromination: 

Jacob deGrom made his much anticipated first start of the season, after his first two seasons in the majors produced a 23-14 record with a 2.61 ERA and the 2014 NL Rookie of the Year Award.

Oddly, yet luckily, he appeared to be in mid-season form.

The man pitched like he had somewhere to be, like, say, a baby on the way. With the success of his team and his family on his mind, deGrom delivered an ideal initial performance, only to be derailed by an early exit, due to “right lat tightness.”

His final line: 6.0 IP, 5 hits, 1 ER, 6 K, 0 BB.

You can’t ask for much more than that. Not to mention, he departed with just 76 pitches to his name because of the back issue. Let’s hope that doesn’t become a nagging issue over the course of the season.

I guess, deGrom has an affinity for his home stadium. In 15 starts, over 95 innings, at Citi Field last year, he allowed just two homers, had a 1.99 ERA, and allowed 2 ER or fewer in 12 of 15 home starts.

Truly speaking, this Phillies team could lose 162 games this season. Hey, a win is a win

Plate deGromination:

With the bases loaded in the second frame of Friday’s game, deGrom stepped to the plate and knocked an RBI groundout to second, to give the Mets a temporary 1-0 lead.

d’Ar-No?

After deGrom allowed a leadoff single in the first inning, Travis d’Arnaud gunned a ball toward second base to catch a runner stealing, for what seemed like the first time ever. On a windy, cold day no less.

But, not all is well. As MLB.com’s Anthony Docomo points out, at one point in today’s game, d’Arnaud was the only Met to remain hitless on the season; 0-for-9.

That was, until fortunes changed. After his terrible start, the starting catcher lined a hard-hit RBI single stretching the New York lead to 7-1

Heroes: Niel Walker and Michael Conforto

These two players helped the Mets break open the game for good.

First, Neil Walker added to his short Met’ resume when he singled in Lucas Duda for run, and extended the lead to 3-1. Also, rapidly helping fans forget about that Daniel Murphy guy, who got away.

Now, Conforto’s turn.

Mikey C ripped a ball down the first baseline in the corner of the outfield, good for not only a double, but a run, as Walker scored from first.

Next, Walker… again. His single to right center in the 7th scored Wright, and moved Cespedes to third, Duda to second.

Finally, Conforto ended the duo’s onslaught with a bases-loaded 2 RBI single, also in the 7th inning.

If you haven’t noticed, Conforto is just as important to the future success of the Mets as every single one of their young stud pitchers. He had a 3 RBI day afternoon for himself, finishing 2-for-3.

The Walking Dead:

The Captain lives…barely!

At the very least, I can assure you he’s certainly not dead, as Mets Twitter has recently declared him.

In the first inning, David Wright powered a double to the gap in right center, looking very powerful and fluid with his swing. An opposite field extra base hit it the vintage Wright Mets fans could use a heavy dose of

Later in the game, Cap made a beautiful barehanded play. First he charged the dribbling baseball and in one fell swoop snatched it and toss the runner out at first base.

Just like old times.

It wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows for the franchise face. He also committed a terrible throwing error, and dropped a routine infield pop-up in the 8th inning.

Luckily, the mistakes didn’t cost the team any real damage, but it was very Luis Castillo-esque, without all the drama.

Missing: Leadoff Hitter + Diva Outfield

Curtis Granderson and Yoenis Cespedes have been nowhere to be seen, thus far in the young season.

The Grandyman has only one hit in 13 at-bats on the year, which, is obviously unacceptable. Friday, he went 0-for-5, lowering him to a .077 average through three games.

Yoenis Cespedes, for $75 million dollars, is not pulling nearly his weight. During the two-game series in Kansas City, Cespedes went 1-for-9 with two walks.

Today was no different, as Yo finished 1-for-5 on the day. He’s batting .167 on the season.

What’s Next: 

Bartolo Colon is on the mound for his first start of the season, but not his first appearance. Big Sexy tossed a couple perfect relief innings against the Royals.

Game two of this division battles takes place Saturday, with first pitch schedule for 7:10 pm ET. You can catch the game on WPIX, MLBN.

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Jeremy Fialkow
Jeremy Fialkow was born and raised in Miami, FLA, but currently studies at the University of Maryland. When he's not studying hard, he can be found supporting his sometimes hopeless NY teams: Knicks, Mets, Jets, and Isles. Your sympathy is appreciated.

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