Photo by James Farrance Photography
After falling in the first game of the season, the Syracuse Mets proceeded to win three straight against the Pawtucket Red Soxs. Mets start the 2019 season winning their first series and gives the team great momentum heading into their next series against Rochester, which is also at home.
The Mets were able to sweep a doubleheader on Saturday April 6th after having a rainout on April 5th. In Triple-A baseball, doubleheader games finish at 7-innings, barring extra innings.
Game one of the doubleheader saw Corey Oswalt, who was 2018 Pitcher of the Year for the Mets minor league system, pitch 5 2/3 innings, gave up three-runs and striking out five for the first victory in Syracuse Mets history. Right-hander Arquimedes Caminero earned the first save in Syracuse Mets history recording the final four outs of a 6-3 victory.
Game two of the doubleheader saw Casey Coleman and Corey Taylor pitch three-innings a piece with Coleman giving up two runs, one earned. Taylor game up one run, as well. Daniel Zamora pitched a scoreless frame. Jacob Rhame earned the victory after tossing a scoreless inning to finish off a 4-3 victory.
The final game of the series, on April 7, saw Drew Gagnon pitch 5 1/3 scoreless innings with only three hits scattered and striking out five. Ryan O’Rourke struggled for the second straight appearance giving up two runs in one inning of work. O’Rourke’s ERA currently stands at 12.00. Tyler Bashor also struggled lasting only 2/3 of an inning, giving up four hits and three runs. Paul Sewald earned the victory for the Mets and Caminero earned his second save for the Mets to cap off a 6-5 win and a series win.
Offensively, the Mets were explosive. After an opening day loss that saw the Mets only manage six hits and three runs, the bats exploded for the remainder of the weekend series. Some notable hitters include…
Danny Espinosa starting the season with a four-game hitting streak (4-for-15). Dilson Herrera has a hot bat as Herrera finishes the first series getting five hits in eight at bats. That includes a home run in game two and two doubles in the final game.
Travis Taijeron displayed some gap power hitting two doubles and driving in two runs during the series. David Thompson broke out in the final game of the series with a two hit performance and driving in three runs.
Gregor Blanco went hitless on opening day, but collected three hits over the next two appearances on April 6 and 7th. Blanco had a solo home run to cap off the April 6 game. Syracuse Mets catcher Colton Plaia played in two games during the series and earned a hit in each game. In the final game of the series, Plaia collected two hits. Plaia also collected two RBIs during the doubleheader.
Adeiny Hechavarria has the hottest bat in Syracuse currently. Hechavarria finished the series with a .462 average (6-for-13), including two doubles. Carlos Gomez hasn’t been able to get his swing down as he finished the series with only one hit in eleven plate appearances and striking out five times.
Rajai Davis started the season with a two hit performance and a stolen base, but since then has gone hitless in seven at bats.
Tim Tebow had a breakout game on April 6th, which was the doubleheader. Tebow collected two hits, including a double, and drove in two runs. Similar to Davis, Tebow finished the series going hitless in his final seven at bats.
Syracuse Mets are tied at the top of the International League North Division (3-1) with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs.
Syracuse continues with their season at home against the Rochester Red Wings, an affiliate of the Minnesota Twins franchise, April 8 through April 10.
