OF Jay Bruce and the New York Mets beat the Philadelphia Phillies 4-3 tonight, opening their three-game set in a most intense fashion.
The New York Mets took game one of their first series of the season with the division rival Philadelphia Phillies.- Final Score: Mets 4, Phillies 3
- WP: Jerry Blevins (1-0)
- LP: Edubray Ramos (0-1)
- S: Addison Reed (2)
- NL, Final, Box Score
- Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
After allowing two runs during his first frame tonight, Jacob ‘deFlow’ deGrom bounced back very nicely, ending his start with a line of 6 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 K.
The win continued an incredible streak wherein the Amazins’ have never lost a game that deGrom has started against the Phils.
In what continues to be an almost nightly occurrence, the once unpopular Jay Bruce had another huge game for the Mets. Just when it seemed as though the offense was in their normal lull, Bruce provided the spark that was clearly needed:
https://twitter.com/EliteSportsNY/status/851591935164907520
Bruce later drew a lead-off walk in the seventh inning, and then proceeded to score the tying run, following a Neil Walker sac fly.
But wait, there’s more.
After tensions were at an all time high due to Asdrubal Cabrera nearly getting decapitated, Bruce delivered the final blow of the night. A moon shot, statement home run was the difference in this one.
https://twitter.com/EliteSportsNY/status/851611137221197824
This one must’ve felt Amazin’.
deGrom’s de-Good-One
Following a night in which Noah Syndergaard started his work with two dominant innings, things were quite the opposite for deGrom.
After walking the leadoff hitter, deGrom surrendered three singles, as well as a bases loaded walk to Cameron Rupp. The Phillies jumped out to a 2-0 lead and were poised to break the game open, but then vintage deGrom made another appearance.
deGrom was able to coax a 1-2-3 double play ball to end the first inning, and things were smooth sailing from there no. On a night in which deGrom clearly did not have his best stuff, he continued to battle.
Take out that putrid first inning, and deGrom was near perfect: 5 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 3 K. This man has shown time and time again that he’s about as good as anyone in the majors at adjusting when his pitches just aren’t moving or being commanded as normal.
.@JdeGrom19 with a solid second outing of the year. ? #LGM pic.twitter.com/KbEoCentGA
— New York Mets (@Mets) April 11, 2017
The Bullpen Redeems Itself…Mostly
Josh Smoker retired the first two hitters he faced in the bottom of the seventh, but a single and a walk later, manager Terry Collins called Jerry Blevins into the game.
Things then got very weird.
Blevins had one of the stranger outings you’ll likely see all season. A wild curveball sent Travis d’Arnaud flying to his left, where he barehanded the ball and almost threw it in the outfield, but was bailed out by a diving Cabrera, who threw it to Lucas Duda where the base runner was tagged out.
https://twitter.com/EliteSportsNY/status/851607734743179265
Just your “average” play.
The next inning, Phillies reliever Edubray Ramos, clearly still not over giving up a Cabrera walk-off three-run home run late September last season, threw the ball way inside, right over Cabrera’s head.
Here's the famous Asdrubal Cabrera bat flip from last September. Ramos clearly did not forget it, throwing over his head today. pic.twitter.com/RGnPy4mi9t
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) April 11, 2017
Cabrera did not take too kindly to this gesture, and appeared ready for a fight. Even SNY announcer Ron Darling stated on-air he would be in support of Cabrera rushing the mound.
Edubray Ramos throws one over Asdrubal Cabrera's head, and Cabrera's hot. Some history: Cabrera bigtime bat flipped against Ramos last year.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) April 11, 2017
Ultimately though, Bruce provided the justice for the Mets, with his moon shot two-run home run to break the tie.
Hansel So Hot
After not looking too hot the last week, Hansel Robles was asked to get the Mets out of a two-on, two-out jam in the eighth. He was able to get Rupp to ground into an inning-ending double play to keep the Mets ahead.
In the final frame, fill-in closer Addison Reed was able to lock down his second save of the season, even if he did allow a solo shot to Brock Stassi.
