After Yoenis Cespedes had another multi-HR game, the New York Mets pulled out a late night win against the Miami Marlins.
- Final Score: Mets 9, Marlins 8
- WP: Hansel Robles (2-0)
- LP: Adam Conley (1-1)
- NL, Final, Box Score
- Marlins Park, Miami, Florida
After catching 15 innings, d’Arnaud and his newly altered swing lasered the eventual game-winning solo shot in the top of the 16th, bringing him a double shy of the cycle.
The exhausted right arm of Hansel Robles closed the game out in the bottom of the frame, finishing his two innings of relief on his fourth day consecutively on the bump.
The Metropolitans now sit at 7-3 on the season and are first in the NL East, with fireballer Noah Syndergaard set to toe the rubber tomorrow night at 7:10 p.m. for the second game of the series.
Why Yo’ Serious?
After homering three times just two nights ago, Yoenis Cespedes hit two more bombs in the third and fifth innings off of starter Wei-Yin Chen and reliever Jose Urena respectively tonight, bringing him to an MLB-leading six home run total through only 10 games.
They weren’t what you might call “wall-scrapers” either.
Yoenis Cespedes is absolutely on fire right now. He has 2 more home runs tonight ? pic.twitter.com/k5Y6HbdyGI
— MLB Roundup (@MLB_Roundup) April 14, 2017
This rather hot stretch of 2017 from Cespedes should remind Mets fans of the spark plug performance that the Cuban slugger gave in 2015, following his trade to New York from the Detroit Tigers.
Conforto Finds a Way
Michael Conforto again bolstered his chances to become a starter with a pinch-hit double to score d’Arnaud from first in the eighth inning. Following the success, manager Terry Collins lifted Curtis Granderson in favor of the former first round pick in center field.
The Conforto Drill seems to be working out for @mconforto8 – Triple to tie the game! #LGM #PlayWithPurpose #MaxEffort pic.twitter.com/xPg85G6kyk
— Hudson High Baseball (@BecomeABanner) April 14, 2017
G’say It Ain’t So
Newly annointed rotation member Robert Gsellman had his second rough start in a row to open his 2017 campaign, tossing just 4.2 innings, while allowing eight earned runs on five hits and three walks, striking out five.
The rigthy was due early for a long night on the mound after he allowed a bottom of the first grand slam to Marlins left fielder Marcell Ozuna.
Blink and you’ll miss it.
Marcell Ozuna’s rocket put runs on the board fast. https://t.co/ZpWPhB5VXJ #PapaSlam pic.twitter.com/sGCUiCtg22
— MLB (@MLB) April 13, 2017
Luckily for Gsellman, he was bailed out in the next half-inning, as d’Arnaud continued his solid start to the season with a bases-clearing triple.
Granderson then tied the game up 4-4, knocking in d’Arnaud on a single of his own.
What Else To Know From Tonight
The bullpen displayed a much improved performance tonight, as the entire ‘pen combined for 11.1 scoreless innings — another group that picked up the struggling Gsellman.
Jay Bruce continued his torrid run over the first 10 games, hitting three singles and scoring a run in seven at-bats playing in right field. Bruce batted fifth in the lineup behind Wilmer Flores, who got the start over Lucas Duda against the lefty Chen.
Flores made the most of his opportunity, smacking a home run off Chen in back-to-back fashion with Cespedes.
Juan Lagares, who was activated off the disabled list just today, made his way into center field in the 10th inning, but went 0-for-3 on the night. The righty will also likely receive his first start tomorrow against Marlins lefty Adam Conley.
