Some numbers sound so much better than others. No one would have complained with a 2-1 start. But 3-0 sounds so much better than 2-1.
The Mets have a difficult schedule in April due to the amount of NL East opponents they play, starting off 3-0 against the favorites for the Wild Card is a great way to start the season.
The major story line through this game would be Jon Niese, who took a no hitter into the 7th inning. His first two innings were a little rocky with 3 walks but after that he settled down and started to strike batters out. His line of 4 runs, 3 earned over 6 + does not do Jon justice on how well he pitched today. On top of that, it would be easy to understand the amount of pressure that could have been on him today with the combination of his first start of the season and the big contract. The success of this team in the first three games has been the good starts by the starting pitchers, who then have handed the game over to a nearly perfect bullpen, included Francisco who set a Mets club record for saving the first three games of the season.
On the side of the ball, the Mets bats had another double digit hit day. The difference today would be hitting with RISP. The Mets failed in the first two games to bring in runs on base, but today they were able to bring those runners home. Probably the turning point of the game in terms of, “Oh, the Mets are going to win this” would be Murphy’s two RBI double.
Speaking of hitting, congrats to Ruben Tejada who had 4 hits on the day, with .368 BA on the year, nearly 90 points better than Jose Reyes. (Although it would be reckless to think Tejada would hit .368 all season).
