Yoenis Cespedes Opts Out of 2020 season

Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespedes (Credits to MetsMerizedOnline.com)

New York Mets General Manager Brodie Van Wagenen announced after the game that outfielder Yoenis Cespedes has decided to opt-out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19 concerns. Cespedes didn't show up at Truist Ballpark in Atlanta for the game today and the team was not aware of where he was. It turned out Cespedes packed up his bags and left the team hotel without informing anyone but it was not clear where he was Sunday afternoon. He missed most of the 2018 and 2019 seasons due to injury and was hitting only .161 with two homers and 4 RBI's in eight games at DH this year. Now that Cespedes is gone, Dom Smith and J.D. Davis will get time at LF and DH and bring some youth and energy to the starting lineup.

Mets vs. Braves Game 10 Recap

Mets LHP David Peterson (Credits to NYDailyNews.com)

The New York Mets lost to the Atlanta Braves for their fifth consecutive loss today and dropped their record to 3-7.  LHP David Peterson made his second career start and started out well in the bottom of the first inning after he was able to work around a one-out single and got 1B Freddie Freeman to ground into a double play. In the bottom of the second inning, he struck out back-to-back hitters and retired 3B Johan Camargo on a fly out to end the inning. In the bottom of the third inning, he gave up back-to-back hits and then allowed 2B Adeiny Hecchaviria to reach base which loaded the bases. He then walked CF Ronald Acuna Jr to bring in a run and then struck out SS Dansby Swanson. Peterson was able to induce a ground-out by 1B Freddie Freeman but it still brought home a run since the shift prevented a double play. He got out of the inning after DH Marcell Ozuan grounded out. In the bottom of the fifth, Peterson gave up a solo homer to Camargo bur didn't give up any runs after that and struck out back-to-back hitters to end the inning. He finished up strong up by striking out two of the last three batters he faced in the bottom of the sixth and was then taken out. His final line was 6 innings, 5 hits, 3 runs, 1 walk and 8 strikeouts. Peterson showed his live fastball once again at 92-93 mph and mixed in his off speed stuff well once again. He was let down by some poor defense and was able to work out of a tough jam in the bottom of the third inning and allow two runs. RHP Edwin Diaz came in next in the bottom of the seventh to try to his confidence back and walked RF Adam Duvall to lead off the inning, but came back to struck out LF Austin Riley and was to get Ozuna to line into a double play to 2B Robinson Cano who threw to 1B to double off Duvall. RHP Drew Smith followed and gave up a RBI single to 1B Freddie Freeman.

The offense had chances all game to score with men on base, but they were not able to capitalize and take advantage of their opportunities with runners in scoring position. They went 1-15 with runners in scoring position.

The Mets next game is tomorrow night at the Braves at 7:10 p.m.

Mets Trade Tyler Bashlor to Pirates

RHP Tyler Bashlot (Credits to MetsMerizedOnline.com)

New York Mets RHP Tyler Bashlor was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates today for cash considerations. Bashlot was designated for assignment on July 28 to make room for left-handed pitcher David Peterson the 40-man roster. He had a 3.31 ERA with 242 strikeouts and 95 walks over 182 innings pitched in the minor leagues all as a reliever. Bashlor had a 5.33 ERA in 48 appearances in the Major Leagues with 45 strikeouts and 29 walks in 54 innings but struggled with his command.

Mets Acquire Billy Hamilton from Giants

Mets Centerfielder Billy Hamilton (Credits to MetsMerizedOnline.com)

The New York Mets acquired centerfielder Billy Hamilton from the San Francisco Giants today for right-handed pitcher Jordan Humphreys. Humpreys missed almost two full years after he had Tommy John Surgery in 2017 and made two appearances in the Gulf Coast League and Arizona Fall League last year and did well with a 0.77 ERA. Hamilton is known for his defense in centerfield and has had 73 defensive runs saved since he made his MLB debut in 2013. He's not known as a hitter with a .218 average last year with the Kansas City Royals and Atlanta Braves, but is a great base stealer with 22 stolen bases last year.

In other moves RHP Jared Hughes was activated off the injured list after he had COVID-19. RHP Franklin Kilome was optioned to the team's alternative training site in Coney Island as the team's corresponding roster move. Kilome made his MLB debut last did well and did well giving up two runs on four hits with five strikeouts and no walks in four innings. Finally, infielder Jed Lowrie was placed on the 45-day injured list.

Game 10: Mets vs. Braves Starting Lineup and Pitching Match-Up

Mets Starting Lineup

1. Brandon Nimmo-CF

2. Jeff McNeil-3B

3. Pete Alonso-1B

4. Michael Conforto-RF

5. Robinson Cano-2B

6. J.D. Davis-DH

7. Dominic Smith-LF

8. Amed Rosario-SS

9. Tomas Nido-C

The pitching match-up is RHP David Peterson (1-0, 3.18 ERA) vs. RHP Kyle Wright (0-1, 16.88 ERA)

Mets vs. Braves Game 9 Recap

New York Mets RHP Michael Wacha (Credits to Newsday.com)

The New York Mets lost to the Atlanta Braves 7-1 tonight for their fourth consecutive loss and dropped their record to 3-6. RHP Michael Wacha got off to a tough start in the bottom of the first inning after he gave up a two-run homer to LF Marcell Ozuna. Wacha continued to struggle in the bottom of the second inning after he gave up back-to-back RBI doubles to catcher Tyler Flowers and RF Ronald Acuna Jr. 2B Ozzie Albies followed with a RBI single. He stayed in for another two innings and was taken out after the bottom of the fourth. His final line was 4 innings, 7 hits, 5 runs, 2 walks and 5 strikeouts. RHP Franklin Kilome came in next for his MLB debut and had a rocky beginning allowing a RBI single to centerfielder Ender Incarte in the bottom of the fifth and a solo homer to Acuna Jr in the bottom of the sixth. Kilome settled in after that and set the Braves hitters down in order in the bottom of the seventh and eighth innings. He gave the rest of the bullpen a much needed rest and fortunately was able to eat up innings. Kilome featured a popping fastball in the mid 90's as well as some sharp off speed including a slider and change-up. He showed that he has the stuff to handle more high leverage situations and hopefully will get that opportunity since the pen has shown to be unreliable so far.

The offense wasted several scoring opportunities with men on base in the early innings and wasn't able to capitalize. In the top of the fifth inning after they loaded the bases again, 2B Robinson Cano drove in the only run of the game with a sacrifice fly. They wound up with six hits all night with Cano and RF Michael Conforto the only members of the starting lineup with multiple hits. CF Brandon Nimmo reached base three times after he drew two walks and was hit by a pitch.

The Mets next game is tomorrow afternoon at the Braves at 1:10 p.m.

Game 9: Mets vs. Braves Starting Lineup and Pitching Match-Up

Mets Starting Lineup
1. Brandon Nimmo-CF
2. Jeff McNeil-3B
3. Pete Alonso-1B
4. Michael Conforto-RF
5. Robinson Cano-2B
6. Yoenis Cespedes-DH
7. Dominic Smith-LF
8. Wilson Ramos-C
9. Amed Rosario-SS

The pitching match-up is RHP Michael Wacha (1-0, 1.80 ERA) vs. RHP Touki Toussaint (0-0, 20.25 ERA)