Megill and Clutch Hitting Lead Mets To Breathtaking 3-1 Win; Can It Continue?
The New York Mets’ frustrating inconsistency arose again Tuesday night in a 4-2 loss to the Miami Marlins. Poor clutch hitting, bumbling gloves, and inconsistent starting pitching all contributed to the defeat. The Mets needed a response, with fans’ expectations high, and an opportunity to create separation from the Atlanta Braves, who lost their seventh straight game.
The Mets started poorly last evening. Clay Holmes, like in his first start, labored, allowing six hits and two walks in 4 2/3 innings. He kept the damage to a minimum, only allowing two runs in the third inning. This became critical later.
The Mets’ bats looked feeble through seven innings, with only four hits and one run. The Marlins padded their lead, scoring two more runs in the bottom of the seventh. It looked like New York was soon to lose another game to the Marlins, the series, and about to start off a disappointing 2-4.
The eighth inning looked like more of the same. The Mets got a couple of men on base, but also two outs. Throughout the early season, the team has failed to execute in the clutch. Pete Alonso struggled in these spots last season. It was his worst performance in dramatic moments until the playoffs.
Alonso against the Milwaukee Brewers in the First Round Playoff Series got his Mets moment. Down 2-0 in the ninth inning, in a winner-take-all game, he hit a dramatic three run Home Run to help the Mets advance. He became the first player to hit a go-ahead HR while trailing in the ninth inning or later of a winner-take-all postseason game.
Would there be a carryover into the 2025 season, or would Alonso go back to his 2024 regular-season ways? He battled against Marlins pitcher Calvin Faucher for nine tense pitches before unloading his second HR of the season to tie the game. Suddenly, the Mets had life!
Mets catcher, Luis Torrens, is quickly emerging as one of the best backup catchers in the game. His outstanding throwing arm, chemistry with pitchers, and solid bat set him apart. In the bottom of the eighth inning, with the Marlins about to push ahead, he threw out Griffin Conine at second base. This short-circuited the Marlins’ rally and led to extra innings.
The 10th inning quickly went by. In the top of the 11th, the Mets made the Marlins work, drawing a walk from Alonso and another from Jesse Winkler. The walk by Winkler drove home Juan Soto, and the Marlins’ poor fielding added another run. Refusing to chase pitches was not something the Mets did well last season.
The Mets, as they tend to do, made things interesting in the bottom of the 11th. Xavier Edwards singled, scoring Javier Sanoja. Kyle Stowers drew a walk. Huascar Brazoban was called on to shut the threat down, and he did, getting Jonah Bride to fly out and striking out Otto Lopez.
Alonso has been the Mets’ best hitter so far this season. He is being more patient, not swinging wildly for the fences as he did last year. He’s chasing pitches out of the zone just 14.3% of the time, far below his career average of 29.9%. Selective pitch selection and consistent hitting go hand in hand.
Alonso is showing superior confidence compared to last season. He looks ready to contribute regardless of the situation. Last year, there was a hope he could come through; so far this year, it is becoming a given. Why the change?
The Mets pursued Juan Soto in free agency for his Ted Williams-like numbers, yes. Legendary early career production is not the only reason, though, the Mets sought Soto. Elite players elevate those around them and take the pressure off. Alonso knows he has a tremendous bat to help him if he can’t come through.
Alonso, therefore, is playing free. He is also watching Soto’s exceptional understanding of pitchers and drawing from it. It is no coincidence that with Soto’s arrival, Alonso has become more selective and has elevated his play. Soto hasn’t produced exceptional stats yet, but his contract is already paying off by the effect he is having on the likes of Alonso.
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