Queens, NY —RHP Taijuan Walker did everything in his power to win the game for the New York Mets. He allowed just one run through six innings and was in complete control of the game.
A two-run double by Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford erased the Mets’ lead and the Giants (82-44) came back to beat the Mets 3-2 on Wednesday at Citi Field in Queens.
Kris Bryant, whose solo homer off Walker was the Giants’ only offense output through six innings, led off the seventh inning by reaching on a error by third baseman Jonathan Villar. Alex Dickerson then hit a blooper into shallow center field that fell between Jeff McNeil and Michael Conforto, prompting a visit to the mound from New York manager Luis Rojas and a early departure by a visibly upset Walker.
Walker (7-9) was annoyed when Rojas exited the dugout and signaled to the bullpen, and when Aaron Loup gave up a double, Walker smashed a water bottle in frustration.
But it was the five double plays and timely hitting by the Giants that saved the major league-leading Giants from a catastrophe.
But they needed a little extra smoke from closer Jake McGee against slugger Pete Alonso to save the game.
“Tonight, it wasn’t good enough. I think everybody knows that,” San Francisco manager Gabe Kapler said. “That said, it’s a win on the road against a really hungry team.”
Frisco almost gave the Mets a gift on the tying run in the ninth inning with a pair of defensive miscues. With one out, Jonathan Villar hit a foul pop up outside first base, but Brandon Belt overran it before it bounced off his glove. Villar singled to centerfield to start the comeback charge.
The Mets then took the lead in the sixth inning when Conforto blasted a single and advanced to second base on a Javier Baez groundout. Dominic Smith then doubled to the right for a 2-1 lead.
LHP reliever McGee jammed Alonso with a 1-2 fastball on his 24th pitch, and the soft flare was caught on the infield by second baseman Tommy La Stella. It was McGee’s 29th save and his first of more than 20 pitches since May 7.
Johnny Cueto was activated from the injured list and pitched for the first time since Aug. 9 due to a right flexor strain. He allowed an unearned run over 4 2/3 innings, giving up five hits and three walks with two K’s.
“Needed that from him,” Kapler said. “Great performance.”
San Francisco have now won 21 of 28 as they try to hold off the LA Dodgers for the best record in the NL West and the majors. The Giants leads the Dodgers by 2 1/2 games entering Wednesday contest.
The Giants have won 21 of 28 as they try to hold off the Dodgers for the best record in the NL West and the majors. San Francisco led Los Angeles by 2 1/2 games entering Wednesday.
The Mets (61-65) lost for the 10th time in 12 games — all against the Dodgers and Giants. After leading the NL East Division for nearly three months, New York are seven games behind the division-leading Atlanta Braves.
“We’ve been struggling and not playing well and then when you come home and you basically get booed off the field, it definitely doesn’t make it any easier,” Loup said.
San Francisco is now 4-1 against the Mets over the past 10 days.
UP NEXT:
Giants LHP Alex Wood (10-4, 4.11 ERA) pitches the series finale Thursday night against Mets RHP Carlos Carrasco (0-2, 8.82).
