Mets Pull Off Unlikely Win Against Cubs
So let’s recap Wednesday night’s Mets game against the Cubs. Matt Harvey was terrible again in a short, homer filled outing. Neil Walker left early with what could be a serious injury. And with a short bench, a pitcher had to pinch hit in a key spot. And some how, some way, the Mets won the game.
![mets](http://www.bloggingmets.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/lagares.jpg)
On his very first pitch of the game, Harvey allowed a home run to new Cubs leadoff batter Mike Rizzo. Rizzo did the same thing Tuesday in his first game at the top of the lineup (just not on the first pitch). The next batter, Ian Happ, also homered to give the Cubs a 2-0 lead.
The Cubs gave the Mets a run in the second. With runners on second and third with two outs, Jose Reyes hit an easy grounder to Kris Bryant at third. But the ball dropped out of his hand when he was going to throw to first so a run scored to make it 2-1.
The Mets suffered a potential major blow in the third when Walker hurt his leg trying to beat out a bunt. He limped off the field with what the Mets are calling a “left leg injury.” The new Mets injury policy would not let them be more specific.
Then came the fourth and another homer allowed by Harvey, this one an epic two-run shot by Kyle Schwarber. The ball went over the Shea Bridge for what might be the longest home run ever in Citi Field. 4-1 Cubs.
The Mets loaded the bases one out in the fourth and with Harvey due up and struggling with his velocity, his night was clearly over. But who would pinch hit? Well, the Mets four-man bench (because they are carrying an extra pitcher) consisted of Lucas Duda (who was already in the game after Walker went down), Michael Conforto (dealing with an achy back) Yoenis Cespedes (a planned day off and needing a lot of stretching before coming into a game) and Rene Rivera (backup catcher). So who would pinch hit? — well, that would be Steven Matz. And Matz managed to hit a ball to deep short that went for an RBI hit. Juan Lagares followed with a sacrifice fly to plate another run and make it 4-3.
Harvey’s numbers were not pretty, unless you like the number four — four innings, four runs on four hits with a walk and five strikeouts. And three homers. Something is up with him.
Curtis Granderson led off the sixth with a walk and scored when Lagares tripled to tie the game at four.
Granderson broke the tie in the eighth with a solo home run, the 300th homer of his career, as the Mets took a 5-4 lead. Reyes walked, and then Cespedes was finally ready to pinch hit. He singled to right to put runners on first and second. Robert Gsellman came in to pinch run for him. Reyes stole third. Lagares lined out to short for the first out. Duda then put the game out of reach with a three-run homer to right to give the Mets an 8-4 lead. Wilmer Flores, Jay Bruce and T.J. Rivera each singled to score another run.
Addison Reed came on in the ninth for the non-save. He allowed two singles to open the inning but then got the next two outs. Another single loaded the bases but Rizzo grounded out to end the game.
Mets win an unlikely one, 9-4.