Round 2 - SDP(9) upsets NYM(1) in 4 intense games

Game 1 – NYM 3, SD 0 – Jacob deGrom vs Tyson Ross

The Mets score 3 runs in the first two innings thanks to five singles.  Jacob deGrom makes it stand up with 8 innings of 3-hit ball.   Jeurys Familia pitches a hitless 9^th for the save.

Game 2 – SD 7, NYM 3 – Ian Kennedy vs Matt Harvey

Padres bats wake up in game two.  Yangervis Solarte knocks in 3 with 2 homers, while Matt Kemp and Justin Upton crack 3 hits apiece. The Mets were within 1 run after home runs by Granderson and Conforto before Solarte hit his second HR off Blevins in the seventh.  San Diego used 7 relievers with Kimbrel getting the last 2 outs.

Game 3 – SD 8, NYM 4 – Brandon Morrow vs Steven Matz

As the series shifts to San Diego, the Mets called on rookie Matz while the Padres countered with off-injured Morrow.  Both starting pitchers were ineffective in this one.  The Mets took a 3-0 lead in the second after Ruben Tejada singled in Granderson.  Home cooking kicked in as Will Middlebrooks hit a 2 run homer in the 2^nd, and the next inning Clint Barmes hit a 3-run shot for a 5-3 lead.   Mets get one back in the 4^th when Grandy singled in Plawecki.  The big blow came in the bottom of the 8^th when pinch hitter Cory Spangenberg hit a 3 run homer.

Game 4 – SD  3, NYM 2 – James Shields vs Noah Syndergaard

Padres hand the ball to their ace and Shields responds with 1 run allowed over 5 innings.  Syndergaard only allowed 2 runs over 7, including a homer to Kemp.  Travis d’Arnaud spoils the home party with a solo HR in the 7^th off Quackenbush for a 2-2 tie.  San Diego loads the bases in the 8^th, but Upton and Gyorko pop up to end the threat.  Joaquin Benoit pitches a scoreless 9th.  Mets reliever  Hansel Robles walks Derrick Norris and strikes out Yonder Alonso, but Venable singles to put runners on 1^st and 2^nd.  Spangenberg wants to be the hero but strikes out.  The Mets bring in Addison Reed, who intentionally walks Kemp to load the bases.  Solarte singles on the first pitch from Reed to send the fans into a frenzy.

Thanks to Justin for a fun, intense series.  Padres have to face the winner of the PIT/LAD series.

Thanks,

John/SD