No anthem protest from Mets, Nats
No members of the Mets or the Nationals followed the lead of A’s rookie Bruce Maxwell or the dozens of players across the NFL to take a knee this weekend during the national anthem before Sunday’s game at Citi Field. Terry Collins didn’t criticize those protesting, but he indicated he’s “proud” that none of his players on the Mets have taken part in kneeling for the anthem. “I’ve got to tell you, I’m not a big political guy, not by any stretch of the imagination,” Collins said before Sunday’s game against Washington “But I respect -- I have been blessed enough to travel the world -- and I respect our country immensely. We do have rights here, which other places don’t. I respect that, also. But I’m proud of my guys that they go line up every night, stand and face the flag. Everybody’s allowed to have their own thoughts and certainly I don’t criticize anybody, I don’t do that stuff. But I’m happy that our guys do what they
do.”
PRAYERS FOR PuERtO RIcO
The Mets are partnering with Gov. Cuomo on the Empire State Relief & Recovery Effort for Puerto Rico, with Citi Field serving as a strategic location for fans to drop off supplies to help in the recovery effort following Hurricane Maria. Mets bullpen coach Ricky Bones was in tears while addressing reporters after Sunday’s game, saying he’s been unable to speak with his father and other family members in his hometown of Guayama. “It got really destroyed so I’m reaching out to Mets fans for the next three days,” Bones said. “We’re going to be collecting items…any supplies you would be willing to bring.”
Pitcher Seth Lugo added he has family members living in San German; he said his grandmother has been in contact with them.
At home games Monday through Wednesday (4-7 p.m.), the Mets will be accepting donations outside the ballpark at various collection points, as well as Thursday and Friday (10 a.m. through 6 p.m.) outside the Jackie Robinson Rotunda.
Requested items include batteries, flashlights, portable lanterns, diapers, baby wipes, cases of water, feminine hygiene products and canned or non-perishable foods.
The Mets haven’t had many opportunities for an old-fashioned pitching duel lately due to their tattered starting rotation, but Sunday’s matchup between Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer certainly qualified. Scherzer barely won the battle in his ongoing bid for a second straight Cy Young Award, leading the first-place Nationals to a 3-2 edging of deGrom and the Mets at Citi Field. Scherzer, likely competing with Dodgers ace and three-time winner Clayton Kershaw for Cy Young votes, improved to 16-6 and lowered his ERA to 2.55 with six innings of one-run ball, while striking out 10.
DeGrom (15-10, 3.53) allowed three runs (two earned) over his six innings, surpassing the 200-inning mark (now 201.1) for the first time in his four-year career. The righty struck out 11 to increase his career-high total for the season to 239, trailing only Scherzer (263) in the National League. Trailing 3-1, the Mets drew to within one run on Jose Reyes’ RBI single against Ryan Madson in the eighth. But the Mets (66-89) left the bases loaded in that inning and stranded two in scoring position in the ninth to finish the season-series with a 6-13 mark against Washington.
StAt OF tHE DAY
DeGrom’s 11 Ks gave him 11 double-digit strikeout games this season; he entered the season with 10 such outings in his career.
uNSuNG HERO
Brandon Nimmo homered in the first inning against Scherzer, his fifth of the season.
Kevin Plawecki struck out as a pinch-hitter against lefty Sammy Solis with the bases loaded for the final out of the eighth.
METS VS. BRAVES
Today, 4:10, Chris Flexen (3-4, 7.13) vs. Lucas Sims (2-5, 5.14) Seth Lugo (6-5, 5.03) vs. Max Fried (1-0, 4.41); TV: SNY