The New York Mets, a team genuinely competing to be the worst in baseball this year, just pulled off a wild 6-5 extra-innings victory against the Cleveland Guardians, a squad currently fighting for a playoff spot. You’d never guess the season context watching this series, especially after the Mets also snagged the opener last night, making it two straight against a legit contender.
Baty, Benge, and a Slump Buster Ignited the Offense
Talk about a surprising start! The Mets got things rolling in the top of the third when Brett Baty crushed an opposite field homer off Tanner Bibee to lead off the frame. And get this, Jorge Polanco, who’d been stuck in a brutal 0-for-26 slump, followed that up immediately with his own line drive shot to right field. Just like that, it was 2-0. They kept adding on in the fourth, too. Carson Benge hit a one-out grounder, and Guardians third baseman Angel Genao, making his big league debut, just threw it past first and into the stands. That let Benge scoot all the way to second. Then Jared Young, who got robbed of an extra-base hit earlier by a sick running catch from Petey Halpin, lined another ball to the right field corner for a double, bringing Benge home. Boom, 3-0 Mets!
Christian Scott: Highs, Lows, and a Bunch of K’s
On the mound, Christian Scott was dealing early, holding the Guardians scoreless for the first three innings without much drama. But then the bottom of the fourth got dicey. A leadoff walk, then a double, and suddenly Cleveland had runners on second and third with nobody out. Travis Bazzana lined a single to left to bring home their first run. Still, runners on first and third with no outs? Scott totally dug in, getting a ground ball to first for the first out, then striking out the next two batters to escape with just that one run scoring. But the fifth inning? More trouble. Scott loaded the bases with two singles and a walk, still nobody out. He struck out Jo Adell, but then Nathaniel Lowe smacked a single to right that brought home two runs to tie the game. Scott did manage to get the next two outs, and that was the end of his night. His final line, 5 innings, 6 hits, 2 walks, 7 strikeouts, 3 earned runs, shows a so-so outing, but word is he was throwing with some increased velocity.
Re-taking the Lead and More Offense
But wait, the Mets offense wasn’t done! Right after the Guardians tied it, Carson Benge, who was having a night, drilled a two-out solo shot to right field in the top of the sixth. That was his second homer in the series, and it put the Mets back up 4-3, ending Bibee’s night. New pitcher Erik Sabrowski came in, and Jared Young was there to greet him with a triple to left field. What a wild ride for a team supposed to be just rolling over!
So yeah, a team many are calling a genuine contender for “worst in baseball” just outlasted a team in a playoff hunt, 6-5 in extras. And they did it for the second straight night! Talk about making a statement when everyone’s counted you out. This is a crazy series.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Amazin’ Avenue.
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