file photo/TheNYExtra.com
When the Mets left New York after a big win over the Orioles, they knew the next 7 games would be against the teams they are chasing in the NL Wild Card race. And they got off to a great start beating The Padres 8-3 in dominating fashion.
From an offensive standpoint, they used an aggressive approach versus Dylan Cease pounding back to back doubles from both Francisco Lindor and Mark Vientos and got an RBI hit from Jeff McNeil in the fourth inning to push the lead to 3-0 and were in control for the rest of the game.
Luis Severino coming off a complete game shutout in his last start was not perfect with his stuff but gave the team 5 solid innings to earn the win. Before this game, the Met clubhouse seemed energized despite the long flight to San Diego. They were very aggressive in the early innings swinging at first pitches on numerous occasions.
This is the fourth time the Mets have tackled the Padres as they have a perfect 4-0 record versus them indicating they are not backing down from them. So the Mets remain one and half games behind the Braves for the third wild card spot. However, they are now within 7 and a half games of the first place Phils. And remember they still have 7 games left with the Phils in September. That lead was once 17 and a half games and if the Mets could get this down to 4 games by say September 1—things in the NL East could get interesting.
But in the meantime the Mets must take care of business versus the Padres and D Backs in the next seven days. And this win in San Diego was a great first step for a Met team that looked focused, determined and sky high for the first of four at Petco Park.
