Entering Sunday’s game with the Milwaukee Brewers, the New York Mets were in danger of falling below .500 for the first time this season. Facing the newly-signed Gio Gonzalez, the team had a tall task in front of them. Fortunately, the Mets were able to pull out the win, thanks to some help from an unlikely source.
The New York Mets defeated the Brewers 5-2 on Sunday afternoon at Citi Field. After his historically bad start on April 16 at Philadelphia, Steven Matz has now pitched well in back-to-back outings. The lefty scattered five hits over seven innings to pick up his third win of the year.
Perhaps the most encouraging sign of the day was the fact that Matz did not issue any free passes and dropped his ERA from 4.03 to 3.68 in the process. He will try to hold the Brewers in check again in his next scheduled start on Friday, May 3 at Miller Park.
While Matz did most of the work, Seth Lugo and Edwin Diaz put the finishing touches on the 48-degree afternoon. Lugo struck out the side—all looking—in the eighth and Diaz pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for his eighth save of the season.
Since taking over as the primary setup man for the struggling Jeurys Familia, Lugo has been lights out. The 29-year-old has posted a 1.80 ERA, 0.60 WHIP and a tremendous 13/1 K/BB over his last 10 innings.
It is probably not a recipe for long-term success, but the bottom of the order carried the Mets on Sunday.
SS Amed Rosario doubled on an 0-2 pitch to plate Brandon Nimmo and make it 2-0 Mets in the second. J.D. Davis later scored Rosario with a pinch-hit RBI single to give the club the go-ahead run in the seventh.
The biggest hit of the day came from the recently-recalled Tomas Nido, however. Pinch-hitting with the bases loaded and two outs in the eighth, Nido ripped a two-RBI double to extend the lead to 5-2.
Up next
The Mets open a four-game series with the Cincinnati Reds on Monday at Citi Field. Zack Wheeler (2-2, 4.85 ERA) will square off against Tanner Roark (1-1, 3.24 ERA).
Mets Roundup
d’Arnaud designated for assignment
The Travis d’Arnaud era in Queens has come to an end. The centerpiece of the R.A. Dickey trade in 2012, d’Arnaud was 2-23 (.087) in 10 games in 2019.
Nido will be the primary backup catcher moving forward.
Lowrie begins rehab assignment
INF Jed Lowrie began a rehab assignment with High-A Port St. Lucie on Sunday. The timetable for his Mets debut remains unclear.
Cano hit by pitch on hand … again
For the second time in as many weeks, 2B Robinson Cano had to exit the game due to being hit by a pitch on his hand. This time is was his right (bottom) hand. Initial x-rays were negative, but he will undergo further testing on Monday.
“We’re still a little concerned so we’re going to get further tests tomorrow and kind of go from there,” manager Mickey Callaway said post-game.
