Wednesday got off to a rough start for the New York Mets, but they managed to finish on a high note, splitting a doubleheader with the Milwaukee Brewers at Citi Field. After dropping the opener 7-2, the Mets bounced back to take the second game with a 7-3 victory and snapped a four-game losing streak.
GAME 1 RECAP
Clay Holmes gave New York some needed length, pitching into the sixth inning for the first time by a Mets starter in over two weeks, and left with a 2-1 lead. However, Reed Garrett came on in relief but quickly unraveled. After an RBI double by Brice Turang tied the game, Joey Ortiz crushed a grand slam to left, putting Milwaukee ahead for good. Garrett was charged with four runs while recording just two outs.
The Mets’ offense was limited to two hits by Brewers starter Freddy Peralta. They manufactured a run in the third when Jeff McNeil’s hit-and-run single set up a Brett Baty sacrifice fly. An inning later, Juan Soto singled and scored on Pete Alonso’s RBI hit, briefly giving the Mets a lead.
Francisco Lindor continued to struggle, going 0-for-4 and dropping his average to .133 over his last 15 games.
Brandon Waddell provided a small bright spot, working three innings in relief to spare the bullpen ahead of Game 2.
The Mets’ top three hitters combined to go 0-for-11 as the offense never recovered after the Brewwea big inning.
GAME 2 RECAP
The Mets jumped all over Brewers rookie Jacob Misiorowski in the second inning. After two walks and an infield hit loaded the bases, Brandon Nimmo crushed a grand slam, New York’s biggest hit in days and a much-needed jolt to the offense. Francisco Lindor, who was moved down in the lineup and was named an All-Star just before game time, followed with a solo shot to go back-to-back with Nimmo and make it 5-0. Lindor finished 3-for-4 with a homer, RBI single, and RBI double.
Nimmo and Lindor combined to drive in all seven runs and went 5-for-9 at the top of the order.
On the mound, Blade Tidwell provided 4.1 solid innings in relief, giving up three earned runs on five hits with three strikeouts. He held the Brewers hitless until the fourth and exited after allowing two solo homers and a single in the sixth.
Dedniel Nuñez, Richard Lovelady, Ryne Stanek, and Edwin Díaz combined to hold Milwaukee scoreless the rest of the way, with Díaz locking down his 17th save.
Game 2 Box Score | NL East Standings
The Mets (49-38) look to secure a series win on Thursday when David Peterson (5-4, 3.30 ERA) takes the mound against Milawukee’s Jose Quintana (6-2, 3.30 ERA). The first pitch is slated for 7:10 p.m.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].