JULY 18, 2021•NYTIMES.COM
With deGrom and Lindor Ailing, the First-Place Mets Are in a BindJacob deGrom was sent to the injured list on Sunday with forearm tightness while shortstop Francisco Lindor could miss considerable time wit...
Gregory Polanco - Notches steal in lossPolanco went 1-for-3 with a double, a walk, a stolen base and a run scored in Sunday's 7-6 loss to the Mets.
ImpactPolanco drew a walk and stole second in the first inning before scoring on a Taijuan Walker error. The 29-year-old outfielder has gone 2-for-7 with a pair of walks in two games since he returned from hip inflammation. He'll look to build upon a .202/.284/.364 slash line while serving as Pittsburgh's primary right field. Polanco has added nine home runs, 23 RBI, 24 runs scored and nine stolen bases this season.
JULY 18, 2021•ROTOWIRE
Richard Rodríguez - Blows save, takes lossRodriguez (4-2) took the loss Sunday versus the Mets. He allowed two runs on two hits and struck out one in one innings while blowing a save chance.
ImpactRodriguez had posted three saves and a win in his last five outings, but he wasn't able to protect a one-run lead Sunday. Michael Conforto hit a go-ahead two-run home run in the ninth inning, and Pittsburgh failed to get Rodriguez off the hook for the loss. The right-hander is now 13-for-16 in save chances this season while pitching to a 2.65 ERA and 0.80 WHIP across 37.1 innings.
JULY 18, 2021•ROTOWIRE
JT Brubaker - Takes no-decision SundayBrubaker allowed four runs on six hits and three walks with five strikeouts in 3.2 innings in a no-decision versus the Mets on Sunday.
ImpactBrubaker was spotted a six-run lead after the first inning, but he gave a large chunk of it back and wouldn't have qualified for the win due to the short start. The right-hander has allowed at least four runs in each of his three July starts. For the year, he's posted a 4.68 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 93:22 K:BB through 92.1 innings. He's projected for a tough start in San Francisco next weekend.
JULY 18, 2021•ROTOWIRE
Dominic Smith - Three hits in winSmith went 3-for-5 with a double, an RBI and a run scored in Sunday's 7-6 win over Pittsburgh.
ImpactSmith got the Mets on the board with an RBI single in the third inning. His double in the sixth also led to a run as Jeff McNeil scored on Gregory Polanco's throwing error. The three-hit effort was Smith's first since July 3. The 26-year-old is slashing a modest .254/.321/.392 with nine home runs, 38 RBI, 34 runs scored and two stolen bases through 324 plate appearances this year.
JULY 18, 2021•ROTOWIRE
Travis Blankenhorn - Homers as pinch hitterBlankenhorn hit a three-run home run in his only at-bat in Sunday's 7-6 win over Pittsburgh.
ImpactThe 24-year-old pinch hit for pitcher Drew Smith in the fourth inning and delivered a three-run shot to get the Mets back in the contest. Blankenhorn has only seen 14 plate appearances this season, although he's provided a homer, four RBI, two doubles and three runs scored. He'll likely continue to serve in a bench role while Francisco Lindor (oblique) is on the injured list.
JULY 18, 2021•ROTOWIRE
Michael Conforto - Completes comeback SundayConforto went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run and a walk in Sunday's 7-6 win over Pittsburgh.
ImpactThe Mets trailed for much of the game, but Conforto's ninth-inning blast completed their comeback. The outfielder has homered twice in his last four games, and he has four long balls on the year. He's added a paltry .207/.347/.328 slash line with 21 RBI, 17 runs scored and nine doubles through 213 plate appearances.
JULY 18, 2021•ROTOWIRE
