METS RALLY
Comeback bails out quick-trigger skipper
Eighthinning bullpen implosions have been contagious at Citi Field this week, and the first-place Mets used Washington’s reciprocal meltdown to spare their first-year manager from further criticism and spiritedly avoid what would have been a painful giveback sweep against the Nationals. A quick-hook decision by Callaway left starting pitcher Steven Matz livid early and the Mets trailing by two runs heading into the eighth, before two-run hits by Todd Frazier and pinch-hitter Juan Lagares — and an exclamation-point grand slam by Yoenis Cespedes — lifted them to a nine-run eruption and a series-salvaging 11-5 win Wednesday night over their stunned divisional rivals.
“We’ll blow a game here and there and won’t win some games, but they’re never going to stop. And that was evident tonight,” Callaway said. “We just went out and took it, that’s all I can say.”
After taking three straight games in Washington two weeks ago, the Mets still wasted an opportunity to further distance themselves from their primary divisional rivals this week by dropping the first two games of this series. But they know the damage clearly could have been far more extensive and demoralizing without their latest pepper-grinder comeback.
“It was important to not let them sweep us,” Cespedes said through a translator.
“It’s huge to avoid the sweep and fly down to Atlanta happy,” Michael Conforto added.
To anyone curious how Callaway would top his questionable decision to pinch-hit Jose Reyes in a key situation one night earlier, the first-year manager offered a hearty “hold my $12 Citi Field beer” follow-up move early in this one.
Callaway stunningly pulled Matz, who had retired 10 batters in a row soon after surrendering a three-run homer to Ryan Zimmerman in the first inning, with the Mets trailing by one run in the fourth.
Matz slammed his bat and his helmet to the ground after he was called back from the on-deck circle, and Callaway and pitching coach Dave Eiland were shown on SNY trying to calm down the livid Long Island lefty in the dugout afterward.
Pinch-hitter Brandon Nimmo was hit by a pitch by Nats starter Tanner Roark to load the bases, but No. 9 hitter Amed Rosario bounced into an inning-ending double play to preserve a onerun lead the Nats