Mets Game 77: Win Over Rangers

Mets 14 Rangers 5

Those who took the Rangers and the 6 1/2 point spread lost their shirts, as the Mets pulled an upset in Arlington.

Mets Game Notes

The Mets relied on the running game and heavy hitting, led by Jose Reyes and Lucas Duda with some help from the southpaw-slinging Jonathon Niese. Two first-half field goals gave the Mets an early lead, and a third-quarter touchdown followed by a successful two-point conversion sealed the victory.

The Mets defense hung tough, allowing only one field goal; the other Rangers score came on a safety, when Niese mishandled the snap on 3rd and long from the Mets’ one yard line and was sacked in the end zone.

I was a little surprised that Terry Collins didn’t go for the TD when the Mets drove into the red zone in the final quarter, but I guess he didn’t expect Dan Murphy to shank what seemed to be an easy 33-yard field goal attempt. It’s only the third time this season that Murph has missed inside the 40.

Can’t say enough about the Mets defensive line, which wreaked havoc on Alexi Ogando. Ogando was chased from the pocket all day and seemed confused by the multiple coverages thrown at him.

It will be interesting to see if the Rangers change their game plan on Sunday to stop Duda, who made the Texas defense look like cheesecloth.

Next Mets Game

The rubber match of the series on Sunday afternoon will see native Texan Dillon Gee take the mound against Derek Holland. Kickoff is at 3:05 PM EST.