John From Albany – Mets News and Breakfast Links 8/31/2020

Good Morning. Happy Birthday to Claudell Washington, Pat Howell, and Hideo Nomo. Mets lose 2 to Yankees, and MLB trade deadline moves. 

Section Links: Mets Links, MLB Links, and This Day in Mets History.

Mets Links:

Game 1, Yankees 8, Mets 7. Rick Porcello 5 innings, 4 hits, 2 runs, 2 ER, 2 walks, 2K, 86 pitches – 55 strikes;  Justin Wilson, 1 inning, 0 runs, 0 hits, 1 walk, 1K; Jared Hughes 2/3 inning, 1 hit, 4 runs, 0 ER, 1 walk; Edwin Diaz (L, 1-1) (BS, 4) 1 inning, 2 hits (1 HR), 2 runs, 1 ER, 1 walk; Michael Conforto 2 for 5, 2 RBIs; Robinson Cano 2 for 4 (HR #5), 2 RBIs, 2 runs scored;  Dominic Smith 1 for 4, 1 run scored; Pete Alonso 1 for 3, 2 RBIs, 1 walk, 1 HBP; Brandon Nimmo 0 for 4, 4 Ks; J.D. Davis, 1 for 4, 1 run scored; Andres Gimenez 0 for 2, 1 run scored, 2 walks. (Box Score).

Aaron Hicks - New York Yankees (3) 2-run. pic.twitter.com/8Kkh1yJTxB

— MLB HR Tracker (@hr_mlb) August 30, 2020

NY Post: Yankees’ insane rally stuns Mets as Edwin Diaz crumbles. The Yankees looked dead until the Mets let them back in the game with an error by Andres Gimenez at third and Jared Hughes issuing a two-out walk to Tyler Wade and then hitting Thairo Estrada, who replaced DJ LeMahieu in the top of the inning. Manager Luis Rojas went to Diaz to face the struggling Aaron Hicks. After Diaz’s wild pitch allowed Estrada to score, Hicks tied the game with a two-run line-drive shot to right that just cleared the wall.

Metstradamus: Somehow the Mets took the capital that they gained on Friday and gave it all back on Sunday like they stole it…that first game was Castillo’s drop, Wainright’s curve, Ryan Church missing first base, Lucas Duda’s throw home, Kurt Suzuki, Travis d’Arnaud’s five RBI earlier this season, all wrapped up into one. Seems extreme, but think of the level of failure it takes to lose a game when you’re up by five runs with two outs in the final inning.”

Amazing Avenue: Final score: Yankees 8, Mets 7 – Pathetic.

Metsmerized Online: Mets’ Meltdown Hands Yankees an 8-7 Win in Opener.

Kevin Davidoff NY Post: Brodie Van Wagenen’s Mets job riding on Edwin Diaz solution.

Sportsnaut: Is it finally time for the Mets to move on from Edwin Diaz?

Game 2, Yankees 5, Mets 2. Seth Lugo 3.2 innings, 4 hits (1 HR), 1 run, 1 earned run, 2 BB, 7 Ks; Chasen Shreve 2.1 innings, 0 runs, 2 Hits, 2 walks, 2 Ks;  Jeurys Familia 1 inning, 0 runs, 0 hits;  Drew Smith (L, 0-1) 1 inning, 4 runs, 3 ER, 1 hit (Grand Slam HR), 2 walks, 1 K;  Dominic Smith 2 for 4, 1 RBI; Michael Conforto 1 for 4, 1 RBI; Jeff McNeil 1 for 4, 1 run scored. (Box Score).

Gary Sanchez - New York Yankees (6) Grand Slam. pic.twitter.com/8ZmRRrbwti

— MLB HR Tracker (@hr_mlb) August 30, 2020

CBS Sports: Sanchez’s Pinch-Hit Grand Slam Powers Yankees To Doubleheader Sweep Of Mets.

Amazing Avenue: Final score: Yankees 5, Mets 2 - Not-so-sweep revenge.

Metsmerized Online: Yankees Slam Mets, 5-2, to Complete Doubleheader Sweep.

Jason Fry Faith and Fear in Flushing: Today Was Not a Good Day.

"Hello, this is Steve Cohen. I'd like my deposit back."

— Greg Prince (@greg_prince) August 31, 2020

NY Post: Mets’ meltdown resurfaces concerning Subway Series history.

Forbes.com: Reflecting On A Unique Subway Series Between The New York Mets And New York Yankees. “Gary Sanchez won it with an historic grand slam that clanged off the left field bleachers in his own ballpark. It was historic because it was the first pinch hit grand slam in extra innings in Yankees’ history and surreal because it occurred as the Yankees serving as the visiting team and it took place in the eighth, which in any previous year would have been their penultimate turn at bat.”

Mike Puma NY Post: Mets’ Seth Lugo takes step forward as transition to starter continues. “Lugo was stretched to 60 pitches after throwing 39 against the Marlins in his initial start of the season.”

213 Miles from Shea: Game Preview: Marlins vs Mets.

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NBC Sports: Mets place Betances, Matz on injured list. “Betances landed on the injured list with right lat tightness. Matz was placed on the IL with left shoulder discomfort and will see a doctor Monday to determine the next step.”

NY Post: Mets focused on catching upgrade before MLB trade deadline. “One catcher they had contemplated, the Angels’ Jason Castro, was traded Sunday to the Padres. There are multiple catchers available in the market, including Boston’s Christian Vazquez.”

Mike’s Mets - Another Lost Season, but a New Day Is Coming.

Gotham Baseball: Great Expectations. “Money doesn’t automatically equate success. There have been many terrible Yankees free agent signings over the years: Carl Pavano, Kei Igawa, Jacoby Ellsbury, A.J. Burnett, just to name a few. However, the fact that the Yankees had the cash to take these chances and not let it destroy them is a comfort that few teams have.”

Reflections on Baseball: Steve Cohen Alone At The Top And Ready For – What?

Forbes.com: Mets Sale May Shed Light On Team Valuations In Covid-19 Era, But Esports Should Tempt Investors, Too.

Rising Apple: Robinson Cano may not like it but he’ll need to learn to love the DH role.

Rising Apple: Mets pitcher Steven Matz is hearing the footsteps of David Peterson.

Rising Apple: Ariel Jurado is the former top prospect nobody is talking about.

There are indications the Mets could be interested in Red Sox catcher Christian Vázquez, according to @Ken_Rosenthal's latest deadline report. I'd encourage you to read the full report here:https://t.co/ho4UneaVOI

— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) August 30, 2020

Mets are looking for a starter, a catcher and pen help with less than 20 hours to go

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) August 30, 2020

Source: The Mets have started heated talks this morning. Names of note that are being discussed are Lance Lynn, Francisco Lindor and a couple of other pitchers. They are looking to go for it this season per the source.

— 𝗬𝗲𝗵𝘂𝗱𝗮 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝘄𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘇 (@yaschwa30) August 30, 2020

Centerfield Maz: Tug McGraw: 1973 N.L. Champion Mets Fireman (Part Two) "You Gotta Believe".

MLB Links:

Talking Chop: Braves hold on for 12-10 win over Phillies. Braves 12 Phillies 10 (Box Score).

Fox Sports: Xander Bogaerts, Rafael Devers each homer in Red Sox’s 9-5 win over Nationals. Red Sox 9 Nationals 5 (Box Score).

Fish Stripes: TBR 12, MIA 7; Marlins swept in Citrus Series. Rays 12 Marlins 7 (Box Score).

Here is the full MLB Scoreboard from yesterday.  

NBC Sports: Pitching-desperate Braves acquire Milone from Orioles.

MLB Trade Rumors:

• Padres, Mariners Complete Seven-Player Trade. Catcher/utilityman Austin Nola to San Diego, Seattle receives top outfield prospect Taylor Trammell.
• Rockies Acquire Mychal Givens From Orioles.
• Cubs Sign A.J. Ramos To Minors Contract.
• Padres Acquire Jason Castro From Angels.
• A’s-Astros Game Postponed Due To Positive COVID-19 Test.

Today in Mets History Per Ultimatemets.com:

Born on this date:

• Tracy Stallard (1937)
• Claudell Washington (1954)
• Jon Debus (1958)
• Pat Howell (1968)
• Hideo Nomo (1968)
• Ramon Ramirez (1981)

Transactions:

New York Mets traded Jerry Grote to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Dan Smith and Randy Rogers on August 31, 1977.

New York Mets traded Pete Harnisch to the Milwaukee Brewers for Donny Moore on August 31, 1997.

New York Mets traded Jeff Francoeur to the Texas Rangers for Joaquin Arias on August 31, 2010.

New York Mets traded Erik Manoah to the Los Angeles Angels for Fernando Salas on August 31, 2016.

National Pastime.com:

2002

Losing their 13th consecutive game at Shea Stadium, the Mets complete the worst month at home in National League history. With the 1-0 loss to Randy Wolf and the Phillies, the Amazins' join the Seattle Pilots (August-1969) and the Tigers (September-1996) as teams that have not won a home game in a calendar month with at least ten games.

Baseball Reference:

2012: In Miami, R.A. Dickey of the Mets wins his 17th with a 3 - 0 shutout.

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