Mets Beat Royals 2-1 To Take Series With Outstanding Pitching

 

Mets RHP Jose Butto (Photo Credits to Brad Penner-USA Today Sports)

The New York Mets beat the Kansas City Royals 2-1 this afternoon at Citi Field to take two out of three games in the series and improved their record to 7-8.

The Met offense was held scoreless for the first seven innings and had a chance to score in the bottom of the fourth, but DH Starling Marte was thrown out at the plate trying to score on a fly out.

In the bottom of the seventh, they wasted another scoring opportunity after SS Francisco Lindor fouled out with the based loaded and two outs.

In the bottom of the eighth, the offense finally broke out through after 1B Pete Alonso led off with a walk and then LF Tyrone Taylor moved Alonso to second with a sacrifice bunt.

Two batters later, 2B Jeff McNeil and the following hitter 3B Brett Baty walked to load the bases.

CF Harrison Bader then drove in go-ahead run with an infield hit and LF Brandon Nimmo followed with a based loaded walk to bring in a much needed insurance run.

RHP Jose Butto had a fine outing throwing six scoreless innings allowing two hits.

Butto gave up one walk with nine strikeouts.

He had sharp command of his change-up and mixed in his fastball and curveball and didn't get rattled with men on base.

Butto showed today he deserved the chance to stay in this starting rotation.

RHP Adam Ottavino threw a scoreless top of the seventh.

LHP Brooks Raley then threw a scoreless top of the eighth and picked up his first win.

RHP Edwin Diaz came on in the top of the ninth and retired the first two hitters he faced and then gave up a solo homer to 1B Vinnie Pasquantino.

Diaz came back to retire catcher Freddie Ferman for the last out and picked up his third save of the season.

The Mets next game is tomorrow night, Monday, April 15 at home against the Pittsburgh Pirates at 7:10 p.m.