Running Diary: Mets VS Brewers Game 2
October 2, 2024I‘ve corrected my phone issues, but the Mets did win last night. I don’t fully credit myself for the win, but I sure did more than the Wilpons. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Thankfully, after yesterday’s game being on ESPN, we’re surely going to be on a real, fair channel like…
Oh ESPN. Wonderful.
7:30: Wait, why is Kansas City on my screen? Am I back in 2015?! Oh God!
7:30: Instead of playing the good game, ESPN rudely puts Mets Brewers on ESPN 2, replacing NFL Live. Good thing baseball is so valued in 2024.
7:32: ESPN announcers depressingly talk about the Mets winning several games down the stretch. Buster Onley actually tears a plush Mrs Met in Half screaming “Go Brewers!”
7:37: The Brewers fans have rally towels because… I guess because it’s not copywritten? They’re even yellow. They didn’t even try to hide it. The Steelers should be furious.
7:39: The pregame shows every single warm up pitch for the Brewers starter Frankie Montas, while showing his full pitch repertoire. Let’s see if the Mets get the same treatment.
7:41: Lindor draws a walk on a very clear inside pitch. The announcers say, “The umpire thought it was inside”. Can they at least pretend to believe in their own strike zone?
7:42: Megan announces she is bored 1 batter in. But she’s 66% through her book.
7:44: Iglesias grounds out but beats the throw to first avoiding the double play. The Brewers again boo for competent calls. Maybe they believe it’s the WWE where the Refs will change calls due to pressure.
7:44: And then on the first pitch… because of course, Vientos hits an awful chopper that happens to land in the perfect spot and gets on. It feels like in nine and a half innings this play has happen 28 times combined.
7:46: After the ESPN announcers say Brandon Nimmo sucks in his first at bat, and actively root for him to hit into a quadruple play, he hits a grounder through the infield to drive in a run. Vientos takes an extra base giving Alonso a chance to come up clutch.
7:47: Desperately trying to end the rally, the announcers blurt out that the first two series were sweeps. Why not have pom poms in Blue and Yellow?
7:49: Alonso not only grounds out, but doesn’t run out the play, costing the Mets the run. I said at least 13 curses during the commercial break.
7:50: Turns out he dropped the bat in front of him, and tripped to prevent him from running. This cost the Mets a run, but I’m sure that won’t affect things early.
7:52: Sean Manaea gives up a lead off homerun erasing the top of the first immediately.
7:53: Oh, by the way, Manaea didn’t get one warm up pitch shown or have his pitch mix explained. But they showed the homerun four times now. I like that the coverage is fair. And no, explaining as you go isn’t the same.
7:53: Manaea gets an out and gives up a hit. There’s some concern he’s not a big game pitcher, and early, it looks to be true.
7:55: Willy Adames, who threatened to meet Jesse Winker in the parking lot yesterday, chooses to watch multiple down the middle pitches to strikeout instead of swinging.
7:56: The announcer say Manaea debuted in “20, 6” I assume that meant 2016, but he didn’t even manage to state a full year there.
7:58: Manaea bounces back with 2 ks, but the homerun, and the Pete Stumble sting. I get the stumble was a freak accident, but things like this don’t happen to other teams, and honestly, other players. Alonso has struggled to drive in big runs for all of 2024, and a lot of 2023. I’m beginning to get vibes of end of his Mets Career Carlos Delgado, where I would joke that we had to clear the Delgado spot to have a big inning. That’s not a compliment.
8:00: Delgado was also elite for years. Nobody hit a low and down the middle ball harder and further than Delgado.
8:02: Marte’s game 1 performance is summed as – “0 for 2”. He hit two rockets that nearly left the yard, and one was a sac fly. Yep, awful game. ESPN has a way of telling the whole story and not just reading box scores.
8:03: Marte hits an easy grounder, but Montes drops it covering first and Marte is safe. A steal here to put in scoring position would be great. Marte isn’t the threat on the bases he used to be, but he’s still pretty good.
8:04: What a surprise, Tyrone Taylor gets another hit. Sure, it wasn’t a massive hit, but the guy keeps coming through. Plus, Marte goes first to third on a good read. The Mets need, and I mean need to cash in this run.
8:06: Francisco Alvarez tips his cap to me, and drives Marte in. Taylor goes first to 3rd, because of course he does. He’s awesome.
8:07: Lindor first pitch swings, but successfully, as he hits a sac fly. Lindor is playing so well, he’s beating the Mets curse of not driving in runners from 3rd with less than 2 outs.
8:08: You might say everyone but Alonso has contributed with runners on and less than 2 outs. I wonder why?
8:09: Jose Iglesias pushes a single eye single into a double and now we’re really threatening. If Vientos can get a hit, we’re really talking.
8:09: Well, I guess they can’t all work out. 3-1.
8:11: Seriously Alonso, please shut me up. This strategy worked out well yesterday,
8:13: Christian Yellich, an injured player who will not be back until 2025 get more credit for today’s game than a single Mets player.
8:14: Sal Frelick almost took himself out in a game against the Mets Friday and is thankfully ok. They even patched up the opening in the right field wall he crashed into. See, that’s compelling. Do more of that ESPN.
8:16: Francisco makes a wonderful play to rob the Brewers of the 98th infield hit of the series. ESPN immediately shits all over this by saying Dansby Swanson, who didn’t play a meaningful game in 2024, is somehow the clear gold glove at SS.
8:18: I was too mad to even realize the second inning ended. Can the Mets get one bit of praise?
8:19: Nope, have to make sure that all the kids hear about ESPN bet instead. Thank God sports betting was mentioned. I didn’t know where I could go to gamble!
8:20: The Brewers are warming up Joe Ross, which is definitely a name I remember streaming in my fantasy baseball days. But I streamed anybody. I probably streamed you if you’re reading this. What a noble strategy. I didn’t win a lot of fantasy baseball titles but I sure had a miserable time.
8:21: Nimmo has a good at bat but flies out to Center.
8:22: Alonso grounds out. His at bats just don’t seem like the battles the other hitters are giving so far. They are going to need him to win anything, so he needs to turn it around soon.
8:22: Pretty quick and quiet 1-2-3 inning.
8:24: Without any warning, ESPN switches the channel of the game back to ESPN. Can’t I just watch this on SNY? Why can’t I have a good booth?
8:25: A probably now single man holds a sign that implies he skipped the birth of his child to attend a playoff game. I don’t think it was the smart choice.
8:26: Turang might be Mickey Mantle re-incarnated. I don’t think I’ve seen him make an out in his career.
8:28: Turang and Chourio are terrifying at this point. Not only have these guys crushed everything thus far, but they’re absolutely the type to take the extra base. I prefer my opponents to be old, slow and free swinging, thank you. Please arrange a new lineup.
8:29: Manaea gets Chourio looking, but I’ll be honest, that was inside. This is the first pitch in a week I believe worked in the Mets favor.
8:31: The home plate umpire is expanding the strike zone.
8:32: Lindor makes another great dive but can’t get anything on the throw to get the out at 2nd. That could be a big non out, but there’s nothing Lindor could do there.
8:33: Big Strikeout from Manaea on the Brewers best hitter that isn’t on fire like an NBA Jame character. I think Manaea is using the high strike zone to his advantage.
8:34: Manaea gets out of the inning. Really gusty inning there. Maybe Adames will fight his bat in the parking lot.
8:36: ESPN again tries to distract Carlos Mendoza during the game but still haven’t spoken to the Brewers manager. While focusing on the interview, Marte gets a lead off single, but it probably won’t be recorded in ESPN’s books.
8:37: Marte gets thrown out trying to steal, but it looks like he’s in by this very non bias eye. It’s in review.
8:39: The review still goes on. I complain to Megan, who does not acknowledge me. That’s a veteran move from her.
8:40: The call is overturned after ESPN tried to say that it wasn’t clear, even though the replays seems pretty clear. You can distinctly hear Buster Onley shout “GOD DAMNIT” on the ruling.
8:41; Taylor strikes out on a very low pitch after getting to a full count. I would have loved the walk there, but I prefer baserunners to outs. I’m old fashioned.
8:42: The umpire is now calling nearly everything a strike. Rumors has it he has a ticket to the 5th inning sausage race and wants to see the Polish dog get his revenge.
8:43: ESPN lists stats for Alvarez that both contradict each other and do not make sense mathematically.
8:44: Alavrez also strikes out on a low pitch.
8:45: Montas is pulled before Lindor gets up which is a little surprising. I mean, sure, he hasn’t been he’s best, but he did just strike out two batters and a decent amount of the hits haven’t exactly been crushed. Trevor Megill, Tylor’s brother will come in to face non Dansby Swanson.
8:47: Wait, he throws 100? What? Why doesn’t our Megill do that?
8:48: Yes, yes, starter versus reliever. I get it. That’s not funny though.
8:48: ESPN says the Mets haven’t hit homeruns and goes out of the way to show that 11 of their 13 hits are singles WHILE THEY ARE LEADING.
8:49: Lindor pops out. Not a great inning after the start and the stole base. Didn’t move the runner over and give him a chance to score. These are the type of innings that can haunt a team, especially in the playoffs. Alas, it’s hard to score constantly in baseball.
8:53: Vientos prevents a Brewers special with a really good throw. Vientos isn’t a great defender, but I feel like he’s better than advertised.
8:56: The first real battle with a Brewer’s batter. They really hate swinging and missing. Most of Manaea’s strikeouts have been looking. This is not a team you want to keep in the game.
8:58: Manaea gets out of it. The Brewers spun the towels around as a distraction which seems unfair, but Rob Manfred probably will hand out laser pointers for the 5th.
9:03: ESPN talks about Vientos for the first time. What an honor halfway through the series. Then, the umpires call Vientos out on a borderline check swing.
9:07: A balk! There’s something you don’t see every day. Mets have Nimmo on second. Please drive him in.
9:08: Well, at least we cleared the Alonso spot.
9:11: Wow, ESPN actually interviews the Brewers manager. Must have been Steve Cohen demanding justice.
9:12: Brice Turang gets another double. I truly believe he is one of the three best hitters in baseball at this point. I would intentionally walk him every single time up for the remainder of his career.
9:15: The Brewers score off moving the runner over on a ground out and a sac fly. You know, what the Mets desperately needed to do in the 4th inning. 3-2 Mets with 2 outs in the 5th.
9:16: I don’t know why I listed 2 outs in the 5th. I’m not on the radio.
9:17: ESPN discusses how William Contreras stole Edwin Diaz’s song without any repercussions.
9:17: Megan has finished her book and began to purchase the next 10 books in the series. She’ll be ready for the second half of the game.
9:18: A scary near error from Lindor bounces in the right direction and Alonso scoops it at first. Although Alonso’s bat has bene lacking, he has made a bunch of nice plays in the field.
9:20: Bill Belichick in commercials is everything I didn’t want in my life. Why do we think he’s interesting? Because he grumbled a lot?
9:22: Great at bat from JD Martinez to battle back from 0-2 to walk. He has looked a bit better since his huge slump and the Mets are clearly not comfortable starting Acuna starting the playoffs. Which is probably fair considering he’s played about 10 MLB games so far..
9:24: Marte continues to hit the ball in the exact same spot for a single. In 2022, Marte’s injury in September really hurt them down the stretch. Now, he’s well rested and not as relied on to carry the team. He’s not prime Marte, but if he’s going to bat 7th? That’s a pretty solid lineup.
9:26: Taylor has the most unclutch pop up since the last pop up the Mets had. First pitch swinging bites the Mets in the ass. Alvarez follows up with a tap out on a check swing, fortunately only leading to one out.
9:27: The Brewers try to intentionally walk Lindor and then cancel it, but then don’t? I don’t know what happened. I’m pretty sure you can’t do that.
9:28; No, you can’t. The bases are loaded for Iglesias. I understand walking Lindor, but Iglesias has been the soul of the team. Also the soundtrack.
9:29: Iglesias looked silly in that at bat and struck out. This was another wasted inning. They need runs in a bad way.
9:31: Manaea is out. Reed Garrett is in, who had some good stuff but doesn’t always know where it’s going. His first pitch nearly drilled Adames
9:35: The Brewers have another infield hit. This series is a battle of who can hit slow grounders out of reach.
9:35: The Brewers pinch run for Gary Sanchez. Maybe the Mets could have done that for JD Martinez last inning.
9:37: The pinch runner gets thrown out stealing on a great tag from Iglesias. Even Megan called him out while ESPN says the Brewers should challenge and be awarded several runs.
9:38: Garrett strikes out Rhys Hoskins to end the 6th. I will never not fear 2024 Pat Burrell, but Turang is surpassing him quickly.
9:41: The Brewers bring in another sub 3 ERA reliever every reliever on this team a god?
9:42: Vientos loses out on a hit as his grounder grazes off the pitches glove to the short stop. Mets could have used that one.
9:43: Alonso breaks his bat, but ends up with a solid single the other way. That’s good to see. Needs some more of that. The Brewers go to the bull pen and we’ll see if the Mets counter.
9:46: No counter, JD Martinez is still up. He ends up lining out to 3rd on a jump catch. The Brewers defense did a number on the Mets in that inning.
9:48: As the inning ends, I get a pit in my stomach. Turang is due up.
9:48: I’ve seen the same political ad 4 times this game. I don’t need ads. My decision was made months ago. I’m voting for Grimace.
9:50: The sausage race gets more airtime. The Polish sausage gets redemption from yesterday and wins. Honestly, a better story than Twilight.
9:51: Ryan Stanek is back for game 2.
9:53: ESPN goes out of their way to mention that the Brewers have lost 20 consecutive postseason games when trailing in the 7th inning. I don’t want to say the J word, but there are multiple veins popping out of my skull right now.
9:54: Oh god, Babe Turang.
9:55: Holy Shit he made an out. His OPS lowers to 2.650! We go to the 8th inning. Too bad it’s a Wednesday. I need about 14 beers.
9:57: The MLB airs an ad for their app without showing a player but manage to sneak in Rhys Hoskins. I guess Turang was too busy hitting doubles down the left field line to film it.
9:59: Marte works a walk after being down 0-2. I think he’s been the best hitter in this game for hte Mets.
10:00: ESPN AGAIN mentions the 20 consecutive loss stat. I’m very close to watching on mute and listen to my elevated heart rate.
10:02: Another wasted leadoff walk off of a first pitch swing. I’m not saying I’m sensing a theme here but…
10:05: Phil Maton on to face Chourio. Maton doesn’t throw hard, so it’s an interesting change of pace.
10:06: For example, giving up a homerun to Chourio like in the first inning. 3-3. Thanks for the jinx ESPN. You got what you wanted. Buster Onley runs out and High Fives Chourio before flipping off Mendoza.
10:08: The next batter crushes a pitch for a single. Maybe this wasn’t a good change of pace after all.
10:10: Maton induces a huge double play, though it was hit hard too. Need to keep it tie and ask Lindor to carry the team again for the 800th time.
10:12: Adames battles with two strikes and gets a hit after he stopped trying to swing to hit it to New York. I didn’t like seeing that. Most of his at bats since his spat with Winker have been lifeless. This might spark him.
10:13: I’m sorry, why is Adam Ottovino warming up? I feel like Diaz should be on hand here.
10:14: Might not matter. Maton gives up the go ahead two run homer to Mitchell. I don’t really understand why Diaz wasn’t warming up and should have came in after the single. There’s been a few changes Mendoza could have made in this game and didn’t, but this one seemed obvious to me. Maton did not have it tonight.
10:16: Devin Williams is coming in and usually unhittable. Even Lindor looks overmatched and pops out in foul territory.
10:19: While the game still goes on, ESPN conducts the post game interview with Mitchell. I’ve legit never seen this happen, especially in a playoff game. The Mets should have been more considerate and just sat down in the dugout while Devin Williams had a catch to end the game.
10:22: Mets go out quietly and the Brewers win 5-3.
Biggest issues were not driving in runners when they had plenty of chances after the the 2nd inning. There was also some opportunities to push the pace. with some subs that Mendoza didn’t make.
There’s some positives from the game, but they happened so early and that bottom of the 8th really hurts but, fortunately it’s a three game series. I think the key is going to be aggression on the basepaths and honestly, some BABIP luck. This series has been littered with soft hits. The Mets haven’t homered and could really use a few to make things easier.
But man does that trip in the first inning look bad. Not as bad as blowing the lead in the eight, but still. An extra run might have forced Diaz in earlier.
May Grimace have mercy on us all.
ESPN’s players of the game: A parley advertised in inning 4, Shohei Ohtani, Every Brewer who’s ever played in Baseball History, Shohei Ohtain again.
