Mets 7 Rangers 6 (Globe Life Field • Arlington, TX)
Mets Record: 35-37
Mets Streak: W7
Mets Last 10: 8-2
WP: Reid Garrett (7-2)
LP: Kirby Yates (2-3)
SV: Edwin Diaz (7)
Seat On The Korner: Francisco Alvarez
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 Francisco Alvarez. The second-year catcher's game-tying double off former Mets closer Dave Robertson in the eighth inning to pull the game out of the fire. Alvarez had three hits and continues to improve at the plate and in the field after almost two months on the shelf.
Need To Know:
During the game Gary Cohen announced that Willie Mays had died at 93. Mets announcer Keith Hernandez, who grew up in San Francisco during Willie's prime, got emotional during his recollections of Mays. One of the all-time greats, regardless of era, metrics, or launch angle, a lightning fast, powerful, one-of-a-kind defender, Willie Mays hit 660 home runs, 3,293 hits, and made what is still considered by some to be the greatest catch in World Series history during his only world championship with the 1954 New York Giants. Joan Payson had a minority share of the New York Giants and cast the lone dissenting vote when the franchise moved to San Francisco in 1957. She tried many times to buy, trade, or cajole owner Horace Stoneham to send Mays to the Mets after she became owner of the expansion team. Ten years later, when Mays was 41, the struggling Giants finally agreed, sending Mays to the Mets for pitcher Charlie Williams and $50,000. He homered in his first game as a Met on Mother's Day, 1972, to beat the Giants by a run. He remained a Met through the 1973 season, taking part in the Mets' unlikely run to the 1973 pennant and getting showered with gifts on Willie Mays Night. He remained with the Mets as a coach until 1979 when, hard as it is to believe now, Willie was forced to cut ties with the team because he was involved with an Atlantic City casino. The 12-time Gold Glove center fielder, two-time MVP, 1951 NL Rookie of the Year, 24-time All-Star in 23 seasons (two games were played per year from 1959-62), and first-ballot Hall of Famer worked for the Giants. He was a goodwill ambassador for the Giants and tried to keep a close eye on his godson Barry Bonds. The Mets had long ago promised his number would be retired and it finally was in 2022. Say Hey, Willie. So long.
The Mets are now 15-9 lifetime against the Rangers: 8-6 in New York and 7-3 in Texas.
The Mets are 5-9 in Interleague Play this year.
The Mets have won seven straight games, eight of their last nine, and 10 of their last 12 games, and 13 of their past 17 games.
Turning Point
The turning point came in the eighth inning against a familiar face. Reliever Dave Robertson shined in 2023 for the Mets as the fill-in closer for injured Edwin Diaz until he was traded along with a large part of the team at the trading deadline. Now a Ranger, Robertson entered in the seventh with one out, men on the corners, and Francisco Lindor representing the tying run. Lindor hit the first pitch right up the middle with shortstop Corey Seager right on the bag. Seager grabbed the sure double play ball and inexplicably spiked the throw. Rangers Gold Glove first baseman Nathaniel Lowe couldn't handle the play and the Mets had a gift run to make the score 6-4. Fast forward an inning when, with Roberston still in, Alvarez was up with two out and two on. Staying with the old veteran, the second-year catcher lashed a full-count double to tie the game at 6.
Three Keys:
Upon Further Review
With Rangers closer Kirby Yates and a runner on first and one out in the top of the ninth, a foul ball was called on J.D. Martinez. Martinez was quick to argue that his bat hit the catcher's glove. It went to replay and was overturned. The Mets suddenly had two men on. Pete Alonso followed with a double to break the tie. In the bottom of the ninth, Edwin Diaz allowed a soft hit, but a double play and a popup gave the Mets their seventh straight win since good old Grimace threw out the first pitch a week ago at Citi Field. Shakes all around!
Jumping Luis
fifth inning with the Mets, leading, 2-1,
After the fifth inning it seemed like it would be the Rangers' night. the Rangers jumped on Luis Severino. He threw only 14 pitches in the inning, but Texas plated five runs. Leody Taveras, the ninth hitter, was mired in a 1-for-40 slump when he singled to put two men on with no one out and the top of the order coming up. Corey Seager poked a single past short to tie the game. Josh Smith followed with a three-run home run to make it a 5-2 game.
Out of the Park, Finally
Wyatt Lankford, drafted just last year by Texas, made the defending world champions out of spring training after he hit six home runs in camp. It had been a tough start for the rookie with his only home run in almost 200 plate appearances an inside-the-park job in April. He took Luis Severino deep to cap the five-run fifth by Texas.
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