Mets walk it off against ‘Jazz’ and the Marlins

A five-run inning for the New York Mets in the ninth inning in the opener of a day-night doubleheader against Jasrado “Jazz” Chisholm Jr. and the Miami Marlins spoiled a big day for the Bahamian infielder as the Mets knocked off their division rival on a walk-off hit.

The Marlins were in full control of the game, which was completed from a game that had already started on April 11 and rescheduled to yesterday. However, they couldn’t get the key outs in the ninth inning when they needed to. 

The Mets came from behind to win, 6-5, as Michael Conforto drove in the game-tying run on a single in the ninth, and after the Marlins’ left fielder misplayed the ball, the game-winning run came home as well, sliding under the tag. The Mets scored three runs with two out in the ninth, and pulled to within six and a half games of the front-running Atlanta Braves in the National League (NL) East Division with a 64-67 win/loss record. The Marlins remained in the cellar in that division with a 55-77 record – 16 games out of first place.

Chisholm produced his second three-hit game in three days, and the second of his career, on Tuesday, finishing with two doubles and a single from the number six position in their game against the Mets yesterday. He finished 3-for-5 with a RBI and a run scored and is batting .259 on the season, going into last night’s game. He and the Marlins were three outs from taking the opening game of a four-game set against the Mets on their home field, at Citi Field in New York, but couldn’t close the door in the bottom of the ninth.

After Brandon Drury struck out on three pitches to start the bottom of the ninth, Chance Cisco walked and Brandon Nimmo blasted a two-run shot to bring the Mets to within 5-3. After a pitching change, Francisco Lindor lined out sharply for the second out of the inning. The Marlins had the bases empty and needed just one out to finish off their nemesis.

Dominic Smith singled, Pete Alonso doubled, and after another pitching change, Javier Báez and Conforto hit back-to-back singles to complete the improbable comeback.

It’s a microcosm of the entire season for the Marlins, slipping from second in the NL West a year ago, and a playoff position, to the bottom of the barrel this year.

Chisholm is still within reach of a 20-20 season, continuing to turn heads in his first full year in the majors. He is also nearing a 100-hit season, which would be a significant accomplishment for him giving the turmoil he suffered with injuries and missing time this season.

Chisholm has 14 home runs, 44 RBIs (runs batted in) and 52 runs scored. He stole two bases yesterday, and now has 18 on the season going into last night’s game, a .318 on-base percentage (OBP), a .437 slugging percentage (SLG) and a .754 on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS).

In his first at-bat, Chisholm doubled on a line drive to Mets’ left fielder Dominic Smith in the top of the second inning. He took a 2-2 pitch, a 90.1 miles per hour (mph) splitter from Mets’ reliever Taijuan Walker and drilled it to center field for a double. The next batter, Miguel Rojas, laced a single over the outstretched arm of Mets’ shortstop Francisco Lindor, and Chisholm came around to score easily, giving the Marlins their first run of the game.

In his second at-bat, Chisholm flied out to Mets’ center fielder Brandon Nimmo, one of the offensive heroes of the game for New York.

In his third at-bat in the top of the fifth, Chisholm lifted a shot to deep right center field which bounced over the wall for a ground rule double. Alex Jackson scored on the play, giving the Marlins a 3-0 lead.

In his fourth at-bat, Chisholm singled on a line drive to Nimmo, and in his fifth at-bat, in the top of the ninth, he struck out swinging.

Chisholm now has six hits in his last 13 at-bats, but history won’t record it that way, as yesterday’s encounter was a make-up game from April 11.

Be that as it may, the Marlins’ infielder is still having a productive year. He has 90 hits on the season, just 10 away from a 100-hit season, in his first full season in the majors. He is also six home runs and two steals short of a 20-20 season for the Marlins, and with 29 games remaining, there is a realistic chance he could reach those milestones.

Chisholm was scheduled to be in action against the Mets again last night, but the result of that game was unavailable up to press time. They will play two more against the Mets in New York before returning to loanDeport in Miami, Florida, to host the Philadelphia Phillies for three games this weekend. 

The post Mets walk it off against ‘Jazz’ and the Marlins appeared first on The Nassau Guardian.

source https://thenassauguardian.com/mets-walk-it-off-against-jazz-and-the-marlins/