Final Score: Mets 6, Giants 5

The Mets take this home series from the San Francisco Giants on a day where the gritty Giants battled back against our bullpen. The pen came really close to blowing this game, but we just managed to squeak out the win.

Neil Walker had a first inning two out bases loaded two RBI single. Michael Conforto drove in two more with a two out double in the second inning. That made it 4-0. We hit with men on base now? With two out no less? Uh oh.

In the top of the third inning with two outs, Angel Pagan singled and then Wilmer Flores made a throwing error from third base. That led to a big inning for the Giants after a couple of walks (including a run scoring walk) and a two run single from Hunter Pence. That made it 4-3.

In the bottom of the 5th, Michael Conforto hit a solo dinger. Wilmer Flores added a solo home run in the 6th inning to make it 6-3.

The pen did not have it at all today. Jim Henderson came in the game in the 7th inning and struggled. He struck out the first two batters, but then he gave up a hit and a walk. Addison Reed came in to bail him out with two outs and punched out Angel Pagan. His 2-2 pitch was actually a 94 cookie down the middle. But Angel whiffed. Phew.

The wheels fell off for Reed in the 8th. He really lacked command today. He issued the dreaded leadoff walk. Then he gave up a single followed by another walk. Then he was yanked for Hansel Robles. Hunter Pence and Brandon Crawford had unbelievable championship player at-bats and managed sac flies. Then Robles gave up a single, and Terry brought in Jerry Blevins. Blevins retired the lefty Gregor Blanco. The 8th was a brutal inning that made it 6-5.

Luckily, we got out of the 7th and 8th with the lead intact, and Jeurys Familia closed it out for us in the 9th. We just managed to squeak out this win.

Wilmer The Butcher: Right now Wilmer Flores is unplayable in the field. Before he hit his solo home run today he hadn’t hit a lick all season. He had a chance to add an insurance run in the bottom of the 8th and grounded out with two men on base. And he can’t play the field at all. He’s a butcher out there. Error this game at third base. He almost blew the final play of the game with an off line throw to first base, but Duda managed to smack a tag on the runner. He had an error last game at first base. Right now he’s really struggling. Matt Reynolds anyone?

Gnome Day: Today was Noah Syndergaard Gnome day at Citi Field. The lines were enormous and the stadium was packed. It’s such an incredible sight to see. The Wilpons undoubtedly took a nice postgame swim in their secret money pool located directly under the Jackie Robinson rotunda and wondered why everyone is showing up now. I can’t believe they still don’t understand that when you field an elite winning product people pay to watch it. Duh.

Flip The Script: Well this is how Mets fans are feeling right now at the conclusion of April:

This was how Mets fans felt last November:

The point is relax it’s April and just remember that we have to flip the script.

When You Win, Nothing Else Matters: In the series preview I said David Wright should start against Matt Cain today because he’s 11 for 28 lifetime against him. I said Rene Rivera should start against Madison Bumgarner tomorrow because he had 5 RBIs against him the one game he faced him. But Terry went another direction playing Rivera today and sitting Wright. When you’re winning who cares who plays?

It’s April: Speaking of April, if the season ended today, Neil Walker is possibly NL MVP and Dusty Baker is manager of the year. So let’s just relax.

Tomorrow: It’s supposed to rain tomorrow, but if the weather holds up it’s Noah Syndergaard vs. Madison Bumgarner. Thor vs. MadBum. We’ve won 8 in a row and 13 of 15. Sweep!!!