Gut Reaction: Mets 5, Giants 2 (4/5/26)
The Mets used a four-run rally in the eighth inning for a come-from-behind 5-2 win Sunday afternoon against the Giants. The Mets take three out of four in San Francisco and head home with a 6-4 record.
With Logan Webb pulled from the game, the Mets went to town against the Giants’ pen. Jorge Polanco hit a one-out double, just beating the tag at second base. A single by Luis Robert Jr. put runners on the corners. With red-hot Jared Young due up, the Giants brought in a lefty. In a move that I disagreed with at the time, Carlos Mendoza called on Luis Torrens to pinch-hit.
Robert made a peek-a-boo slide to avoid the tag on a successful steal of second, putting two runners in scoring position. Torrens then swung at ball four and lined a two-run double to right to give the Mets the lead.
Mark Vientos then pulled a ball down the line which the 3B made a nice diving stop. But he couldn’t make an accurate throw across the diamond and an inexperienced 1B did him no favors. The end result was a run in and Vientos on second base. Marcus Semien smacked an RBI double for the game’s final run.
It was a pitching duel early in the game, with the Mets jumping out to a 1-0 lead on an RBI single by Vientos. But they couldn’t score again against the Giants’ ace.
Meanwhile, Kodai Senga was in complete control, striking out five straight batters at one point. After five shutout innings, things broke down for Senga in the sixth. The light-hitting catcher led off with an infield single and one out later, he made a surprise steal of second. Senga then gave up a double and a bloop single and the Mets were down, 2-1, and Senga was pulled from the game.
Huascar Brazoban came on and got four outs and became pitcher of record when the Mets took the lead. Luke Weaver and Devin Williams each pitched a scoreless inning to close out the game. Weaver looked great. Williams wasn’t quite as sharp but was bailed out by a runner getting thrown out by Torrens while trailing by three runs in the ninth. That’s just bad baseball.
Williams gave up another hit but ended the game with a strikeout, earning his second save of the season.
Juan Soto sat out again and Francisco Lindor and Bo Bichette went a combined 0-9. But the Mets banged out 13 hits while scoring five times. Robert and Young had three hits apiece, while Polanco and Vientos each had two. Young also had an outfield assist.
After nine games without a day off, the Mets get a free Monday. They return to action Tuesday, with Freddy Peralta getting the ball in the 7:10 p.m. start.
It looked like they would score in the prior inning but ended up with three LOB. Then they did what a good team does - made it happen. As one of Vientos’ bigger detractors, I got to love the resurgence of his bat. He could be another of those hidden X factors if he can revert back to his rookie year, especially with Soto nursing a slight strain. If you get on base you have a chance to score. The Mets seem to have less holes all at the same time and different players are on firmer ground. This pitching staff is very encouraging! Almost hate to have a day off. It’s one day at a time!
Gut reaction; another late inning come from behind win. Different than last year . The situational hitting is enjoyable to watch. Another difference than last year. Senga dominating pitching is another difference than last year second half. Vientos is situational hitting is racking RBI's and another difference than last year. A couple of good slides turned out into base runners. The results were a series win and a winning road trip.