Diamondbacks 10, Mets 5 (Citi Field, Flushing, NY)
Mets Record: 24-34
Mets Streak: L1
Mets Last 10: 3-7
Winning Pitcher: Kevin Ginkel (3-1)
Losing Pitcher: Sean Manaea (3-2)
Seat On The Korner:
We select the star of the game and virtually invite him to a Seat on the Korner, just as Ralph Kiner used to do for his studio postgame show on WOR-channel 9 broadcasts in the early decades of the Mets.
Today's Seat on the Korner goes to Diamondbacks' first baseman Christian Walker, who went 1 for 4 with a walk and a third-inning grand slam that gave Arizona an early lead in a game that would turn into a blowout.
Need To Know
Today's win was just Arizona's third at Citi Field since 2018. The Mets have gone 17-3 in their last 20 home games against the Diamondbacks.
The bottom three hitters in Arizona's lineup (Blaze Alexander, Jake McCarthy and Kevin Newman) went 6-for-12 with a walk, an RBI, four stolen bases and six runs scored.
Sean Manaea became the first Mets' starting pitcher to record 10 strikeouts in a game this season.
Francisco Lindor picked up a first-inning single to extend his hitting streak to 11 games.
Kevin Ginkel tossed a scoreless inning of relief to pick up the win for Arizona after starter Slade Cecconi couldn't complete the fifth inning. The win had to offer some comfort to Ginkel, who had to leave the game after getting struck on the left knee with a comebacker off the bat of Brandon Nimmo.
Turning Point
Sometimes the obvious is the easy answer. Walker's grand slam with two outs in the third took the air out of the Mets' sails for a long time, making it an easy decision for the game's turning point.
Three Keys
Making His Mark
The Mets' decision to demote Brett Baty to AAA Syracuse has finally offered Mark Vientos a chance at everyday playing time. Vientos stayed hot, going 2-for-4 with two runs scored and a monstrous homer to get the Mets on the board in the fifth. That performance allowed Vientos to raise his batting average to .340.
A Perfect Ceremony
While the Mets' on-field performance was lacking, the franchise did a great job paying tribute to Darryl Strawberry with an excellent number retirement ceremony prior to the game. Strawberry delivered an incredible speech as well, admitting to the fans that he was sorry he left after the 1990 season. The Mets also painted their home run apple to look like a strawberry in a fitting tribute to No. 18.
Late Life
In a game that was 10-1 after eight and Carlos Mendoza gave a few of his regulars late rest, it would've been understandable for the Mets to mail in this one. The Mets didn't do that, however, scoring four runs in the ninth to force Arizona to use one of their key relievers, Paul Sewald, to get the final out. While the rally was far too late to make a difference in this game, perhaps the Mets will be able to carry the momentum from that rally into the series finale tomorrow afternoon.
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