The Mets’ 5-2 victory over the Cubs at Wrigley Field on Sunday night took a sour turn when Edwin Diaz was ejected from the game in the bottom of the ninth inning. Umpires inspected Diaz’s hand and glove and found them in violation of MLB’s rules on sticky substances. This violation now puts Diaz at risk of an automatic 10-game suspension. This incident echoes a similar situation involving Max Scherzer, who faced discipline for the same rule violation while playing for the Mets last April.
Despite the drama in the ninth inning, the Mets’ win was significant as they prepare to face the Yankees in the Subway Series. The team has been performing well recently, winning four straight series. In this game, pitcher Luis Severino delivered an impressive performance with six shutout innings. This was a marked improvement from his previous outing where he gave up six earned runs.
The Mets’ offensive power was also on display, with Francisco Lindor, Brandon Nimmo, and Mark Vientos hitting home runs. Lindor’s two-run homer and Nimmo’s solo shot in the third inning gave the Mets a 3-0 lead. Vientos added another home run in the eighth inning, extending the Mets’ lead to 5-2. This season, the Mets have hit back-to-back homers three times, and Nimmo’s recent performance has been particularly noteworthy with four home runs in his last six games.
Severino’s dominance against the Cubs continued in this game. He struck out 10 batters, reaching double digits for the first time this season. He allowed only three hits and did not walk a batter over 102 pitches. Severino’s success against the Cubs dates back to April when he took a no-hitter into the eighth inning against them at Citi Field.
The Mets’ victory was not without its challenges, as Severino faced some tense moments in the sixth inning. After allowing a leadoff single and hitting a batter, Severino battled with Cody Bellinger before striking him out on the 12th pitch. Mendoza, the manager, visited the mound but decided to stick with Severino, who then retired the next batter, Seiya Suzuki, on a fly ball to center.
Overall, the Mets’ performance against the Cubs showcased their strengths both on the mound and at the plate. However, Diaz’s ejection and potential suspension serve as a reminder of the ongoing issue of sticky substances in baseball. The Mets will have to adjust their roster and play a man short during Diaz’s suspension. As they head into the Subway Series against the Yankees, Severino expressed his disappointment at not being able to face his former team this week but hopes to pitch in the second installment after the All-Star break. The Mets will need to maintain their momentum and continue their strong performances to secure victories in their upcoming games.
