A lot of guilt can go through the sinking of the Mets, from injuries to low performance to questionable management and personnel decisions.
A person, however, should be free from criticism. The Mets couldn’t have asked for more from Marcus Stroman this year.
Sunday was just his last strong performance, a six-inning and two-run effort against the mighty Dodgers that allowed the Mets to skid out of Los Angeles with a win.
Stroman, a future free agent, kept the Dodgers ’power bats quiet, and the Mets’ offense, usually without blows, did enough to prevent a four-game play with a much-needed 7-2 victory.
“It’s been great for us,” manager Luis Rojas said. “He threw like an ace. … He has been very valuable and has been one of the guys who has kept us afloat. “
It was his second impressive outing in a row against an elite team, following the right winger who allowed three runs in seven innings in a one-time defeat against the Giants on Tuesday in San Francisco. Stroman got six, walked two and only allowed four hits (all individual) to the Dodgers.
“Just mix, man,” Stroman said. “Just be really aggressive. … I thought it had a really fantastic mix. “
Even the races he gave up were not his fault. Stroman should have been out in the fourth inning, but JD Davis couldn’t stand Chris Taylor’s hard ball and Cody Bellinger scored two runs with one. But Bellinger was sent off trying to steal second base to end the box, and Stroman withdrew the last six batters he faced, closing his outing in style by eliminating Will Smith.
In doing so, it lowered its ERA to 2.85 and has allowed eight runs earned in 23 ¹ / in innings in its last four starts. Stroman earned his ninth victory at the helm of the team, but with more support, he could get several more. For a change, he was given an advantage and made to stand up.
“It gives me more confidence, it just gives me another level,” Stroman said of the Mets ’first three-run entry. “It was amazing to see him.”
In the last three weeks, the Mets have fallen from the top of the Northeast to third place. It’s seven games behind the Braves and the playoffs are now a big shot away. Not having Jacob deGrom’s ace since the All-Star break-up has obviously been a crushing blow, as has Francisco Lindor without a break in the last five weeks.
Stroman has done his best to give the Mets a chance to win when he grabs the mound. On Sunday, he made sure they would have a nice background flight home.