Series Recap: Mets Sweep Diamondbacks In The Desert

By Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

New York Mets vs. Arizona Diamondbacks

Series Recap, April 14^th-April 16^th

April 14th	Mets: 7	Diamondbacks: 3
April 15th	Mets: 9	Diamondbacks: 0
April 16th	Mets: 5	Diamondbacks: 2

Check out the post game recap for the Game April 15th HERE.

Christian Peterson-Getty Images

The New York Mets were able to sweep the series against the Arizona Diamondbacks, giving them a successful ending to a productive road trip. The three victories against the Diamondbacks gave the Mets a 6-3 road trip, moving them above .500 for the first time this season at 8-7. On the contrary, the Diamondbacks now hold the worst record in MLB, at 4-12. The Amazin’s dominated the series against the D-Backs, as they got outstanding performances from multiple players throughout the series.

-Positives

The starting rotation was on fire against a strong Diamondbacks lineup, as Dillon Gee and Jenrry Mejia combined to toss 12 scoreless innings. Zack Wheeler wasn’t far off, throwing 6.2 innings and surrendering only two runs. Gee was able to pick up his first victory of the season in the process. Mejia was forced out of the game after only five innings because of a nasty blister on his middle finger. Three strong outings from the starting rotation were nice to see, as the starting rotation had surrendered at least six runs in every series prior thus far.

Gonzalez Germen and Kyle Farnsworth continue to be weapons out of the bullpen for manager Terry Collins. Gonzalez was called upon a little earlier than normal Tuesday with Mejia suffering the injury, and he responded in a big way. Germen fired off three scoreless innings, lowering his ERA to 0.87 on the season. Farnsworth finished that game off with a clean ninth inning to finish off the game. Farnsworth came out and also gave another clean, albeit shaky 2/3 of an inning in the series finale, lowering his season ERA to 1.23 ERA.

Eric Young Jr. tormented the Diamondbacks all series. He got a hit in every game, going 6-12, with two walks. Constantly being on base got the Mets offense going, as he scored five times. He also tore up the base paths, stealing three bases in the series. When Young Jr. is active on the base paths the Mets win, as he has at least one stolen base in five games, and all were Met victories.

Anthony Recker continued to produce in his reserve role. He started the series finale, and delivered once again going 2-4 from the plate with a home run. Recker could be in line for more playing time, as starting catcher Travis d’Arnaud struggles continued, getting only one hit in two games.

Kirk Nieuwenhuis and Andrew Brown were forced into action because of injuries, and both responded well. Nieuwenhuis had a big debut, going 3-5 with a two-run homer and three RBI in total. Brown was able to produce as well, going 3-9 in his two starts. He knocked in two runs, and scored twice as well.

-Negative

Christian Peterson-Getty Images

After starting with 5.1 scoreless innings, Jose Valverde has imploded his last two appearances. Valverde got the first two outs against the Los Angeles Angels Saturday to run his streak to 6 innings, but then surrendered a single, walk and then three-run bomb to Raul Ibanez. He followed up that blown save allowing back-to-back home runs to Aaron Hill and Paul Goldschmidt in his lone appearance against the Diamondbacks Wednesday. He was able to finish out the inning, but it was ugly. His season ERA now sits at 6.14 ERA with a 1.50 WHIP.

The injury bug hit the Mets in the desert, as they lost two outfielders and a starting pitcher. Curtis Granderson and Juan Lagares both were lost in the first game of the series, with Granderson only appearing as a pinch hitter in the finale. Lagares did not make another appearance, and his timetable for return is more up in the air. If all goes well, Granderson is expected to be in the lineup Friday against the Atlanta Braves. For Mejia, his blister will more than likely force him to miss his next start. He hasn’t been announced out as of yet, but the picture painted by the Mets about the blister was not pretty.