(2024- NLWC Series) Mets Take Game One in Milwaukee

Tuesday October 1st, 2024- NLWC Game #1: Fresh off clinching the wild card spot & splitting an exciting double header in Atlanta the day before, the Mets were in Milwaukee to take on the NL Central Champion Brewers. 

Manager Pat Murphy like Mets manager Carlos Mendoza is in his first season as manager as well, leading his team to a 93-69 first place finish.

40,022 filled up American Family Field in Milwaukee, with #1 Brewer fan Front Row Amy keeping score behind home plate & 17-year Brewer veteran Jim Ganter (member of the 1982 AL Champions) throwing out the ceremonial first pitch, the series began.

The starting pitchers were Luis Severino (11-7 / 3.91 ERA / 161 Ks) for the Mets going up against Milwaukee's Freddy Peralta (11-9 / 3.68 ERA / 200 Ks). Since mid-August Severino was 4-1 with a 3.17 ERA, although the Mets were 1-3 in his last four starts with his ERA at 4.37.

Brian Turang led off with a double, Jackson Chourio then singled. William Contreras then brought in the first run with a base hit to right field. Severino struck out Garrett Mitchell but then walked Willy Adames. 

Just when he got the second out, popping up Jake Bauers, Severino hit Rhys Hoskins with a pitch bringing in the second run.

In the top of the 2nd, Mark Vientos led off with a base hit & Pete Alonso drew a walk. Former Brewer Jesse Winker then lined a shot to the right field corner, scoring Vientos & Alonso tying the game. 

Winker glided into third with a triple, his first triple since the 2021 season. After the play Winker & former teammate Willy Adames had a heated exchange of words at third base.

Starling Marte then put New York ahead with a sac fly scoring Winker.

The Mets went down in order in the 3rd & 4th innings.

In the bottom of the 3rd, Severino got into trouble again allowing a hit & a walk, then with one out Rhys Hoskins grounded into a double play, Lindor to Iglesias to Alonso.

In the bottom of the 4th, Sal Frelick led off with a double. After Severino struck out Joey Ortiz looking, 

Francisco Lindor made a fine stop to his right side, although Brice Turang still reached on an infield single. Severino then gave up a game tying single to Jackson Chourio & Turang scored on a ground ball out to make it 4-3 Brewers.

Five Run Inning: But the Mets answered, as they have been all season. Joel Payamps came on to pitch for Milwaukee & Starling Marte blasted a fly ball to left Field that Jackson Chourio leaped to make a fine catch on. 

He couldn't handle the next fly ball that Tyrone Taylor made a double out of.

With two outs, Lindor drew a walk. Then the Mets sparkplug, the ever-hustling Jose Iglesias beat out a bouncer to the right-side sliding headfirst into first base. 

The pitcher Payamps came over to cover, he held the ball forgetting about Taylor who came into score tying the game.

Brewer manager Pat Murphy brought in Aaron Ashby to pitch. Brandon Nimmo then loaded the bases reaching on an infield hit that short stop Willy Adames couldn't handle. Mark Vientos then collected a two-run single to right field making it 6-4 Mets. 

Vientos led the team with two hits on the night joining Jesse Winker & JD Martinez with multi-RBI nights. He advanced on a wild pitch. Pete Alonso was then walked intentionally to load the bases.

J.D. Martinez who had two hits the last game of the season after having one of the worst slumps in Met history came through tonight with a two-run single to right giving the Mets the 8-4 lead.

Luis Severino settled down finally, as he came on to retire the next six batters over the next two innings getting to the bottom of the 7th with an 8-4 lead. He gave up four runs on eight hits, with three strike outs & three walks earning the win.

Trivia: Luis Severino joins David Cone as the only pitcher to earn victories for both New York teams.

Jose Butto came on, retired six in a row with three strike outs. He ended the 8th inning striking out Jake Bauers & Rhys Hoskins. On the season, Butto had gone 7-3 with a 2.33 ERA, 79 strike outs in 74 innings with three saves.

In the bottom of the 9th, Ryne Stanek was brought on to pitch & without any of the drama Edwin Diaz gives us ever time out, he retired the side in order, striking out Brice Turang to end the game. The Mets took Game #1 with an 8-4 win.

Quotes- Carlos Mendoza: "They punch, we punch back they took the lead again. Then we were able to bounce back & continue to punch & just continue to stay aggressive."