Mets Complete Comeback
This wasn’t your typical Mets script. This is a team who finds a way to get close enough to just rip your heart out. Tonight, they were doing that to the Orioles instead of their fans.
For a while, it seemed there was no shot for the Mets to win this one as the Orioles were teeing off on Rick Porcello. At one point, they were 9-for-15 off Porcello, and seemingly the only way for the Mets to record an out was to throw out a runner looking to stretch a single into a double as Michael Conforto did to Chance Sisco to lead off the second.
Through three, the Orioles were up 5-1. That one run came in the second when Jeff McNeil singled home Dominic Smith, who led off the inning with his MLB leading 17th double.
The score would be 6-3 heading into the bottom of the fifth after McNeil and DJ Stewart traded a pair of homers. In the bottom of the fifth, Conforto would ignite the Mets with a solo homer.
? @mconforto8 ? pic.twitter.com/AUmXZt0koR
— New York Mets (@Mets) September 10, 2020
The rally didn’t end with the homer. Later in the inning, Cano snapped out of his slump to hit an RBI single to pull the Mets to within 6-5. That’s when the Mets defense would shine and keep the Mets in the game.
The first came from McNeil who robbed Jose Iglesias of an extra base hit:
What a catch by the Flying ?! #LGM pic.twitter.com/8lbxCAh1Xz
— New York Mets (@Mets) September 10, 2020
Even though that was the second out and there was no one on, Jared Hughes had trouble getting out of that inning. He’d load the bases, and Luis Rojas would bring in the struggling Justin Wilson to face Rio Ruiz. For a moment, it looked like Ruiz hit a bases clearing double:
WHAT A CATCH! #LGM pic.twitter.com/noVptaXjNq
— New York Mets (@Mets) September 10, 2020
After those pair of great defensive plays, the Mets would get the big hits they needed. First, it was Andres Gimenez tying the game in the bottom of the sixth with his second career homer:
The rookie showing off the power. ? #LGM pic.twitter.com/3sMWwWdPsU
— New York Mets (@Mets) September 10, 2020
Then, it was Pete Alonso hitting his 11th homer of the year in the bottom of the eighth to give the Mets a 7-6 lead.
.@Pete_Alonso20 coming up CLUTCH. ? #LGM pic.twitter.com/kqwkeY5AGu
— New York Mets (@Mets) September 10, 2020
Being the Mets, they weren’t quite out of the woods yet. Edwin Diaz allowed a lead-off single, and for a moment, it looked like the first two would reach. That was until Luis Guillorme, who was brought in for defense, made another great defensive play.
HUGE play by Luis Guillorme to get the out ? pic.twitter.com/aGR5nh97Ny
— SNY (@SNYtv) September 10, 2020
Diaz retired the last two to earn his third save of the year. It was a dramatic and needed win to help keep the Mets postseason hopes alive.
Game Notes: McNeil has homered in four straight. Diaz, Seth Lugo, and bullpen coach Ricky Bones wore 21 today in honor of Roberto Clemente.