Morning Briefing: Mets Begin Crucial Series With Victory
Good morning, Mets fans!
Sean Manaea obtained his 10tth win of the season in an 8-3 victory for the orange and blue on Wednesday. For the Mets, their record goes to 69-63, three games back of the Braves for the third Wild Card spot, and for the D-backs, they’re now 75-57, tied with the Padres for the first Wild Card spot. Manaea had another strong start, not allowing a run through his first six innings before giving up three in the seventh. Backed by a six-run inning in the fifth, the Mets cruised to a win in the desert. Francisco Lindor, Mark Vientos, Brandon Nimmo and J.D Martinez all enjoyed multi-hit games with just one starter failing to collect a hit (Jesse Winker).
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Wild Card Update
San Diego topped the Cardinals 7-5, thanks to another home run from Manny Machado and a three-hit performance by Luis Arraez. The Padres remain three games ahead of the Braves and six games up on the Mets.
The Braves edged out the Twins 8-6 in 10 innings. Despite blowing a 4-0 lead, they scored four runs off Twins closer Jhoan Duran in the 10th. The win keeps them three games ahead of the Mets.
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The D-backs will look to even the series today at 9:40 p.m. ET. Mets right hander Luis Severino (9-6, 3.84 ERA) will face off against southpaw Eduardo Rodriguez. (2-0, 3.94 ERA) In Sevy’s one start against the Diamondbacks this year, he surrendered four earned runs in 5 1/3 innings pitched, while in two career starts against the Mets in 2021 and 2023, Rodriguez has only allowed two runs in 12 1/3 innings pitched.
Pete Alonso tied Mike Piazza for third place in Mets’ all-time home run list, with 220. For the Polar Bear, the next milestones would be David Wright at 242, and the leader, Darryl Strawberry, at 252.
Mets beat reporter Anthony DiComo reports that David Peterson will pitch Thursday against Arizona. Thursday was originally Paul Blackburn’s rotation spot, but Peterson will pitch on regular rest rather than six days. DiComo adds that Tylor Megill is likely to pitch Friday against the White Sox.
Carson Benge hit his first professional home run, a two-run shot that gave the St. Lucie Mets a two-run lead. St. Lucie went on to defeat the Jupiter Hammerheads 4-2.
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said that Christian Scott is throwing changeups but not yet off a mound. However, Scott’s exact timetable remains uncertain.
In Triple-A, Brandon Sproat tossed 4 2/3 innings for Syracuse, allowing four runs, and speedster Luisangel Acuña collected four hits, including a three-run homer. This development continues to add more intrigue to potential September call-ups for the Mets.
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Michael Tonkin was claimed off waivers by the Twins after being designated for assignment by the Yankees a few days ago. This season, the right-hander has a 3.74 ERA in 65 innings with the Yankees, Mets and Twins.
The Houston Astros signed veteran outfielder Jason Heyward to a one-year deal, according to Kiley McDaniel of ESPN. Heyward was recently released by the Dodgers in a somewhat surprising move considering his solid performance in L.A. over the past two seasons, where he posted a .249/.322/.446 line in 574 plate appearances.
Right-handed relievers Brad Keller, Shawn Armstrong, and Trevor Richards were designated for assignment yesterday by the Red Sox, Cardinals, and Twins, respectively. Armstrong and Richards were both Trade Deadline acquisitions, with Richards being Minnesota’s only Deadline pickup.
The Athletics DFA’d infielder Abraham Toro in a flurry of roster moves, with the main highlight being young shortstop Jacob Wilson returning to the big league club.
The Giants placed sinkerballer Jordan Hicks on the 15-day injured list due to shoulder inflammation. Currently, Hicks has been working out of the bullpen after struggling as a starter. Robbie Ray also went to the 15 day injured list after just seven starts.
Former left handed pitching prospect Nick Lodolo went on the 15-day injured list with a left middle finger strain.
The Red Sox called up the oldest MLB player Wednesday — 44-year-old Rich Hill is back in the majors after just one start in Triple-A.
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Patrick Glynn previewed the Mets-Diamondbacks series.
Chris Bello attempted to understand Edwin Diaz‘s slider and his usage in August
David Melendi wrote about Juan Soto‘s potential market in free agent season.
On This Date in Mets History
1984: The Mets traded Gerald Young, Manuel Lee and Mitch Cook to the Astros in exchange for corner infielder Ray Knight. Knight became a vital player for the Mets, earning the NL Comeback Player of the Year in 1986 and World Series MVP honors.
1989: The Mets acquired Twins ace Frank Viola at the trade deadline in exchange for reliever Rick Aguilera and others. Viola pitched a complete game shutout in a 1-0 victory over Dodgers ace Orel Hershiser.
2003: A 20-year-old José Reyes became the youngest player in MLB history to hit a home run from both sides of the plate in a single game.
Birthdays: Joel Youngblood (73), Mike Torrez (78), Billy Cowan (86)
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