Mets win, Arrieta threatens Frazier with ‘dent in
The Mets triumphed over the off-field hysterics and let the baseball do the talking in their 6-5 win over the Phillies on Saturday night at Citi Field. Edwin Diaz finally caught a few lucky breaks and was able to let out a huge sigh of relief as everything that could have gone wrong finally went the closer’s way.
A day after giving up four earned runs to the Phillies to break a tied game, Diaz had the tall task of retiring the heart of their order on Saturday. Bryce Harper ripped a comebacker to Diaz for the first out and Adeiny Hechavarria flung his body in the air to catch a liner for the second out. J.T. Realmuto managed a single, but Diaz struck out Jay Bruce looking to end the game and seal his 19th save of the season.
In a decisive fifth inning, Jake Arrieta plunked Todd Frazier on the arm and the Mets third baseman threw down his bat in frustration. Umpires warned both benches and Frazier stepped away from the first-base bag to continue barking at Arrieta. Frazier was ejected from the game, and two batters later, Arrieta hit Amed Rosario.
“If Frazier’s not happy about it he can come see me.
I’ll put a dent in his skull,” Arrieta said after the game. Frazier had already left Citi Field and was not available for comment, according to the Mets.
Mets manager Mickey Callaway could not believe the umpires permitted Arrieta to stay in the game after hitting two of his batters. Callaway charged out of the dugout and was immediately ejected from the game. In the end, Arrieta’s lack of control was the break the Mets needed.
Catcher Tomas Nido ripped a bases-clearing three-run double into center field and raised his arms in victory at second base. The team’s backup catcher gave the Mets a 6-4 lead that only then forced Arrieta to exit the game.
Home plate umpire Tripp Gibson said Frazier “left his position to argue the warnings, which is an ejectible offense.” Gibson did not believe either of Arrieta’s changeups that hit Frazier or Rosario were intentional.
“When I went out there, we just got one of our players thrown out and then the guy hits a batter two batters later and I felt like I needed to protect our players at that point,” Callaway said on his own ejection from the game.
Seth Lugo left two runners stranded after a terrific ninepitch at-bat against Jean Segura that ended the eighth inning. Segura fouled off pitch after pitch as the intensity bubbled for Lugo, who fought back in a heroic attempt to hang on to a one-run lead. Finally, Lugo hurled a fastball to the corner