Mets Offense Comes Alive in 8-3 Win Over Yankees

Mar 2, 2021; Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA; New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) throws to first base against the Houston Astros during the third inning at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Mets looked like their struggle to score runs would continue against the New York Yankees. Brandon Nimmo wanted nothing to do with that narrative as the Mets offense woke up. They chased Jordan Montgomery in the fifth inning and took advantage of the Yankees bullpen. Three runs in the fifth and five in the sixth were all they needed to take a chilly game one, 8-3.

The Mets failed to take advantage of scoring chances early in the game but ran Montgomery’s pitch count up to 86 in just 4.1 innings. Dominic Smith broke the seal with a fifth-inning single, James McCann followed up with another, and a wild pitch capped off the three-run fifth. In the sixth, three consecutive singles to begin the inning loaded the bases for a Francisco Lindor walk. Smith continued his excellent day with a two-run double, and Kevin Pillar‘s two-run single finished off the scoring.

Walk That Way

Taijuan Walker pitched very well once again as he threw 5.2 innings, allowing two runs, and struck out five. He allowed a home run to Aaron Judge while in the game, and Miguel Castro allowed Walker’s second run on Gio Urshela‘s two-RBI single. Walker pitched five no-hit innings before sitting for 20+ minutes and coming out for the sixth.

When Castro entered the game, he gave the Yankees life by failing to find the strike zone. Jeurys Familia came in fresh off the IL to save the day and struck out three of the four batters he retired. Drew Smith finished off the game with two perfect innings, carving through the heart of the Yankees order.

The loss moves the Yankees to just one game over .500 but found a bright spot in the outing from Michael King. On a day where the bullpen faltered, King was a stabilizer with four shutout innings, allowing three hits and nine strikeouts to save the bullpen for tomorrow’s doubleheader.

Game one of the doubleheader features a supreme pitcher’s duel of Marcus Stroman against Gerrit Cole. The first pitch for the split doubleheader is scheduled for 2:05 p.m. ET from Yankee Stadium.