Zac Thornton and a band of relievers were good. The Mets’ bats were better — 19 hits, including three each from A.J. Ewing, Francisco Lindor, Bo Bichette, Marcus Semien and Tyrone Taylor. Lindor had two home runs on a huge night, Semien smashed one into the second deck, and Taylor hit a longball as he continued his absurd hot streak — which is also a beacon begging someone to helicopter him off the Mets’ roof before the trade deadline.
When five guys in the lineup collect three hits each, you’re probably going to win. (Francisco Alvarez Estrada, not exactly known for his patience, even walked three times!) It helped that the Braves looked weary and ragged, playing the kind of defense we’re more used to seeing from the Mets. With the game creeping out of reach and Atlanta’s bullpen exhausted by previous nights’ efforts, Walt Weiss left poor Connor Thomas out there to absorb a fearful beating: 11 earned runs in two and two thirds. It was tactically smart but cringingly cruel, a Seelingeresque stomping that left Thomas with an ERA for the year of 21.32 — old enough to drink, and a grim bookend for the 20.25 ERA that he posted last year as a Brewer.
Thomas will now undoubtedly become a Gwinnett Striper, while his teammates turn to a rested relief corps bolstered by whatever new arm is rotated in to be abused. That’s cruel too. But I don’t feel too bad for the Braves — first of all, because they’re the Braves, and second of all because they’re headed for October while the Mets are headed for the knacker’s yard.
One night in which hits felt as common as the raindrops isn’t going to reverse those fortunes. But damned if it didn’t feel good to be a peasant feasting in the royal banquet hall for one night. Eat, drink and be merry — for tomorrow, most likely, we go back to being the Mets.
Jason, who is Francisco Estrada? I think you meant Francisco Alvarez.
There was a Frank Estrada who played in one game for the Mets in 1971 (the name sounded familiar so I looked him up). He was a Catcher too. At first I thought it was some arcane reference to him, maybe like 3 degrees of separation from our current catcher. But no, looks like a rare slip-up.
Then again, you gotta love a Mets Blogger who invokes, even subliminally, a name from that deep in the past.
Ha — been down an old-time Mets rabbit hole and my brain short-circuited. No walks for Frank Estrada, who’s dead at the present time. OTOH I would have said that about Marcus Semien and look at him!
No walks for Frank Estrada, who’s dead at the present time.
Just like Generalissimo Francisco Franco.
Coincidence? I THINK NOT.
Jason, you owe us a pic of Estrada’s Holy Books entry!
Nice to be able to get a game the Braves weren’t trying all that hard to win. At least, when you bring Connor Thomas into a tied game I can’t see where getting the W is your top priority.
Francisco Estrada is a legend in Mexican League basell. He played for 26 years and holds the minor league record for lifetime games caught. He was also a long-time successful manager there and is in both the Mexican and Caribbean Baseball Halls of Fame. By the way, he was one of the players shipped to the Angels in the Nolan Ryan trade.
And, little known fact, he was a first cousin of Chico Esquela.
ha! you beat me to chiming in about the great chico esquela!
mL
Yes!
Fun fact: Ryan is justly celebrated for his 29 professional seasons, while Estrada is regarded as a footnote if he’s remembered at all.
But Estrada played 31 seasons of pro ball and caught more than 4,000 games.
Forget Fregosi — that was an Ironman for Ironman trade.
I believe that catcher Francisco Estrada was one of the four players (along with pitcher Nolan Ryan, outfielder Leroy Stanton and pitcher Don Rose who were the the other three players) the Mets sent to the California Angels in exchange for infielder Jim Fregosi.
In the book, “Tom Seaver: A Terrific Life,” author Bill Madden quotes former NY Mets farm director Whitey Herzoz as saying, “I wouldn’t have even traded outfielder Leroy Stanton even-up for Jim Fregosi, much less Nolan “No-Hit” Ryan for Fregosi.”
In retrospect, the Mets would have also given up way too much if they had just traded journeyman minor leaguer Francisco Estrada even-up for an all-too-obviously washed-up stiff like Jim Fregosi.
I wonder if David Stearns would have also made that disastrous trade for the Mets if he had been the team’s POBO way back then in 1971?
Our Grand POBO would have traded Doc Gooden as soon as he could. Not enough spin rate, probably.
And I am sure you’ve already checked out Shamsky’s book where he and his teammates made a visit to an ailing Seaver. Koosman, Harrelson, Swoboda and Shamsky all went. Great book.
It’s been a painful season, but soundly beating two first place teams in a row was kind of fun.
So, having successfully avoided developing any interest in the players brought in over the winter by Stearns, I made the mistake of listening to the post-game interviews and damn, Semien is likable. I might feel a twinge of regret when he is shipped out next week.
Tyrone Taylor is another matter, as I’ve always had a soft spot for him. He is not dead weight, unlike Polanco, Peralta, Robert, etc. He’s also come up big for the Mets over several seasons. His hot streak will end, but he will be a stalwart in the outfield and give you a serviceable at bat at least. He may well be traded, as he could bring back something of value, but I will miss him if he is.
Then again, I’m not sure I trust Stearns to bring back anything of value for Taylor or anyone else, or not be distracted and trade one of the “core six” for some shiny object. The Mets have value to sell and if Stearns blows it again, he needs to be relieved of his duties in the off-season.
Anyone who thought trading Lindor was a good idea has hopefully seen the light. The Mets shouldn’t allow themselves to be dazzled into parting with those they have determined they are building around, e.g., McLean, Scott, Ewing, Benge, Soto and Lindor. Shut down those offers immediately – don’t even think about them.
Those of us who’ve been around long enough have frequent nightmares going back as far as Nolan Ryan that include Scott Kasmir, Pete Crow-Armstrong, etc. Last year’s crop of relief failures, when what was needed was rotation help, loom large. Stiffen your spine, Mets and use your trade capital wisely. It would be great to “win” the trade deadline, because we are not winning anything else this year.
Apologies for double post…was trying to correct autocorrect which changed “Lindor” to “London”
Francisco London is probably having a better year than Francisco Lindor.