Metstradamus - It's The Stro Show, With Brandon Nimmo And Special Guest Star Jonathan Villar

 

By metstradamus | April 14, 2021 1:42 am

Not even the exclusive weather forecaster could screw this up.

The first game of Tuesday’s double header featured an early Dom Smith home run, but the Phillies crawled back to relevance with an Andrew Knapp sac fly scoring Alec Bohm (who I’m sure actually touched the plate this time), and an infield single in the sixth as Luis Guillorme’s throw to first for the third out was just a tick late to get Didi Gregorius. (Gare was wondering why Guillorme didn’t barehand the ball instead of scooping it up with his glove, but I didn’t mind him giving himself a chance with the throw instead of relying on the 50/50 chance at a barehand.)

Also notable was Jose Alvarado who threw towards Michael Conforto’s head twice in the 6th and hitting him once,which prompted chirps from the Mets bench. I thought it was the Marlins who were going to plunk him after the home opener. Did they call the Phillies and ask for a solid? Also, the boxscore has both of Alvarado’s pitches to Conforto as sinkers. One hundred mile per hour sinkers … that were shoulder high. First off, LOL. Second, why is a pitcher with a 100 mph sinker not closing for this team?

The game went into extra innings, which in Rob Manfred’s world means the 8th inning during a doubleheader. (Editor’s Note: Taijuan Walker started and went 4 and 1/3. giving up three hits, three walks, and a run. I know it wouldn’t have mattered for thsi game, but for seven inning games, why does the starter still have to go five for a win? Get on this, commish.) After James McCann’s passed ball sent runners to second and third, Didi Gregorius’ single to the left side of the infield brought home the go-ahead run to make it 3-2. Francisco Lindor was on the second base side of the bag and couldn’t get to the ball in time, and now we know why Lindor hates the shift.

But Lindor was the extra runner on second to start the bottom of the eighth as a new rule states that a team does not have to use the pitcher or the pitcher’s spot to run at second base. Pete Alonso promptly drove him home with a single to make it 3-3. Then the Mets loaded the bases with a walk and an infield single to bring up Jonathan Villar. 

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