METS DEFEAT BREWERS IN GAME ONE OF N.L. WILD CARD SERIES
Photo Credit: Morry Gash, AP Photo
The New York Mets defeated the Milwaukee Brewers in Game One of the National League Wild Card Series, outlasting them 8-4 and giving the Mets a 1-0 lead in this best-of-three series.
Luis Severino provided the effort the Mets needed Tuesday night, junk yarding his way through six innings and keeping them in the game. Severino only recorded three strikeouts but got much more comfortable as the game progressed, settling in and protecting the Mets’ lead. After the Brewers took a 2-0 lead in the first inning the Mets quickly responded, as Jesse Winker roped a two-run triple into the right field corner. Starling Marte then drove him in with a sacrifice fly, giving the Mets their first lead of the game.
The Brewers retook the lead in the bottom of the fourth, after Robinson Chourio and William Contreras drove in runs with a base hit and groundout respectively. As they’ve done all season though the Mets punched back, this time for good, in the top of the fifth. Jose Iglesias continued to be the sparkplug for this Mets team, beating out an infield single to tie the game at four. Mark Vientos then recorded what would be the game-winning hit, lining an opposite field single that scored two and put the Mets up 6-4. Carlos Mendoza continued to play the right cards in his first season as Mets manager, pinch hitting J.D. Martinez for Jesse Winker with left-handed pitcher Aaron Ashby in the game. Martinez delivered another two out hit for the Mets, grounding a ball through the ride side to give the Mets an 8-4 lead.
Severino and the bullpen locked it down after the Mets gained an 8-4 lead. After Severino finished up his sixth inning of work, Jose Butto came on and delivered two perfect innings. Butto has been the Mets best reliever the entire year and showed why last night, not allowing the Brewers to get back into the game. Ryne Stanek finished off the ninth inning, solidifying the win and giving the Mets a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three Wild Card Series.
With Butto throwing only two innings and Stanek going one, the Mets should have the entire bullpen available for Game 2 Wednesday night. It will be Sean Manaea going for the Mets against Frankie Montas, as Manaea looks to continue his impressive season. Manaea’s only start against the Brewers came this past Sunday in Milwaukee, where he struggles in three and two thirds’ innings. The Brewers scored five earned runs on seven hits against Manaea, a line he will look to improve on Wednesday night. The Mets will look to close things out and advance to play the Philadelphia Phillies, who await the winner in the National League Division Series.
