Today would have been Harvey Day if not for, well, you know. With Carlos Torres filling in for Harvey, expectations were muted, even against an anemic Phillies lineup. However, the Mets got a strong start out of Torres, one that would have been about average for Harvey in 2013. Torres allowed just one run in 6.2 innings of work, striking out six and walking none. He kept the Phillies' lineup at bay as the Mets built a 6-0 lead by the sixth inning, helping the Mets to a series split.
The Mets scored in double digits for the first time in over a month, as they reached base 18 times and pounded two home runs against Phillies starter Ethan Martin and three relievers. Daniel Murphy and Eric Young Jr. had big days; good thing, too, as both have been struggling lately. Murphy went 4-for-5 with two doubles, and he opened the scoring with an RBI double in the third inning to give the Mets a 1-0 lead. Murph later added an RBI single in the sixth inning that gave the Mets a 6-0 lead. EYJ went 3-for-5 with a three-run triple in the seventh inning that gave the Mets a 10-1 lead to really break the game open.
Anthony Recker and Andrew Brown each hit a big dong. Recker's was a two-run shot in the fourth inning. Brown's was a solo job in the eighth inning that closed the scoring. His slash line is up to .280/.327/.480, good enough to be called a poor-man's Marlon Byrd, and perhaps good enough that he should be considered for an expanded role next season.
Lucas Duda made his return to the starting lineup and went 1-for-4 with a walk and two strikeouts. Welcome back, Lucas, the lineup could use your bat! Matt den Dekker went 0-for-5 in his major-league debut. However, he did steal a base after reaching on a fielder's choice.
The 30-year-old Torres now sports a fine 2.77 ERA in 55.1 innings pitched this season, with strong peripherals to support it. I'm not really sure what to make of Torres, but I'm thinking he might have a future as a Mets spot starter/long man.
The Mets head to Washington this weekend for a three-game series with the Nationals. Here are the pitching matchups:
Friday, August 30th: RHP Dillon Gee vs RHP Jordan Zimmermann
Saturday, August 31st: RHP Zack Wheeler vs RHP Dan Haren
Sunday, September 1st: LHP Jon Niese vs RHP Ross Ohlendorf
That's three Mets pitchers who have been throwing the ball well lately. I'm thinking the Metsies take two out of three.
SB Nation Coverage
* Box score
* Amazin' Avenue Gamethread
* The Good Phight Gamethread
Win Probability Added
Big winners: Carlos Torres +27.1% (as pitcher), Daniel Murphy +21.0%
Big losers: Matt den Dekker -5.9%, Lucas Duda -3.0%
Teh aw3s0mest play: Anthony Recker two-run home run in the fourth inning, +17.0%
Teh sux0rest play:Carlos Ruiz double in the fifth inning, -5.8%
Total pitcher WPA: +27.6%
Total batter WPA: +22.4%
GWRBI!: Andrew Brown RBI single in the fifth inning