Francisco Alvarez’s power returned in a big way in the team’s win over the Angels.
The Mets defeated the Angels by a score of 3-2 to win their third straight and to take the series over Anaheim. This game was a tale of Angels and Demons with the bottom of the lineup succeeding and the top of the lineup failing in crucial situations.
With Francisco Alvarez’s return to the lineup in the series opener, the Baby Mets were reunited and it was the Baby Mets who got the job done. With the team down 2-0 entering the bottom of the fifth, Brett Baty doubled with two out. Alvarez showed off his power in the minors when he got sent down, and in his first game back he just missed a home run, but settled for a double when it was misplayed by Chris Taylor. This time he did not miss when he blasted a game-tying home run.
Ronny Mauricio followed with a single and stolen base to get into scoring position for Brandon Nimmo. Nimmo drove him in with a single to give the Mets a 3-2 lead.
Frankie Montas got the start and was solid on the mound. He gave up a home run to Jorge Soler in the second and got into some trouble in the fifth that brought home another run. Both times the inning could have been bigger but he was able to limit the damage. With runners on second and third with one out and a run already in, he struck out Mike Trout in the fifth. Then with the bases loaded he induced a fly ball from Jo Adell to end the threat. He finished his night pitching 5.2 innings, allowing just two runs on eight hits, while striking out six. He wasn’t overly dominant but he kept his team in it which allowed them to eventually take the lead. He was also helped out by Juan Soto who threw out a runner at the plate in the first inning.
The Baby Mets had to be the heroes since the top of the lineup continues to struggle. Francisco Lindor is now 0-for-his-last-30 and Lindor, Soto, and Alonso combined to go 0-for-9. After the Angels made two defensive miscues in the seventh, Nimmo, Lindor, and Alonso all struck out to leave the runners stranded.
With a skinny lead to protect, and with a few arms unavailable, Carlos Mendoza had to piece together a bullpen. Rico Garcia and Reed Garrett each struck out two in their appearances and set it up for Ryne Stanek in the ninth. Stanek put two runners on and with two outs up walked Mike Trout to the plate to add to the drama. Stanek got him to pop up weakly to Pete Alonso to nail down the save.
It certainly was not the easiest win, but with their stars struggling, others stepped up to deliver the victory over the Angels.
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Big Mets winner: Francisco Alvarez +24.5% WPA
Big Mets loser: Pete Alonso -17.6% WPA
Mets pitchers: +42.4% WPA
Mets hitters: +7.6% WPA
Teh aw3s0mest play: Francisco Alvarez home run in fifth
Teh sux0rest play: Nolan Schanuel RBI double in fifth