In the first game of a three-game series, the New York Mets came out swinging for the fences. Curtis Granderson hit the first pitch of the game over the fences. Then, Kevin Plawecki smacked his third home run of the season. Steven Matz contributed to his own cause by getting an RBI himself. This lead to the Mets defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers, 4-2, on Monday night.
Kazmir struggles with home runs again
Scott Kazmir (2-3, 5.54 ERA) has had trouble with the long ball this season. Kazmir does not give up just one home run a game, when the opposing team hits a ball out of the park, they do it more than once. Tonight was no different as he gave up two home runs in six-plus innings.
The New York Mets could not have asked for a better start to the game. On the first pitch of the night, Granderson hit a home run. Scott Kazmir left a 96-mph fastball over the heart of the plate and Granderson made no mistake. His home run found the right field bleachers, giving Steven Matz a big boost before he even took the mound.
With two outs in the top of the second inning, Kazmir gave up his second home run. This time, Plawecki connected on a changeup. The home run from Plawecki doubled his team's lead.
In the next inning, Granderson tried to stretch a sure single into a double. But Enrique Hernandez was quick to the ball and threw a perfect strike to Charlie Culberson. For Kazmir, the out was a bit of a redemption after giving up the home run to Granderson in the first. Kazmir, though, got into trouble later in the inning. Asdrubal Cabrera got hit by the first pitch of his at bat and then David Wright drew a walk. Yoenis Cespedes slapped a single to left, bringing home Cabrera from second.
Mets' Matz helps himself
Steven Matz ran into his first bit of trouble in the bottom of the fourth. Justin Turner singled between the first and second outs of the inning. New Dodger Trayce Thompson stepped up to the dish and he smacked his third home run of the season. The blast from Thompson cut the Mets' lead to 3-2.
More trouble brewed for Kazmir three innings after giving up his third run. Kazmir got the first two outs of the inning with a bit of ease. Kazmir, though, walked Wilmer Flores. Plawecki reached base off of a defensive error from Howie Kendrick at second. That would prove to be a costly mistake from the Dodgers second basemen. Matz helped himself as hit the ball right over the third base bag, scoring Flores. Following that at bat, Kazmir got pulled from the game, unable to complete the sixth inning.
Coming up
Tomorrow night, the Mets will be hoping to clinch the series. They will send Jacob deGrom to the mound to face off against Alex Wood. The first pitch is scheduled to be thrown at 10:10 PM EST.