- It felt like pulling teeth at times, but the New York Mets (63-60) picked up a big win last night. Tied 1-1 in the seventh inning, Pete Alonso came through with a big two run single to help the Mets top the struggling Kansas City Royals (44-79) 4-1. The win evened up the series, and both teams will look to secure the rubber game this afternoon. First pitch for the contest is scheduled for 2:15 p.m. at Kauffman Stadium.
The Mets will send right hander Zack Wheeler (9-7, 4.36 ERA) to the mound today. Wheeler struggled in his last start, giving up five runs in five innings to fall to the Atlanta Braves last Tuesday. The Royals will counter with righty Glenn Sparkman (3-8, 5.45 ERA). Sparkman pitched well in his last outing, giving up two runs (one earned) in six innings against the St. Louis Cardinals last Tuesday, but was handed a tough luck loss due to a lack of run support from his teammates.
Local Coverage:
Television: SNY
Radio: WOR
New York Mets Lineup:
Rubber match matinee. #LGM
⌚️ 👉 2:15 p.m.
🏟️ 👉 Kansas City, Mo
💪 👉 @Wheelerpro45
👀 👉 @SNYtv
👂 👉 @wcbs880, @ESPNDep1050AM
💻 👉 https://t.co/tvVJqvpf8a pic.twitter.com/2AiXDfuHJD— New York Mets (@Mets) August 18, 2019
Pre-Game Notes:
- Wheeler has made one career start against the Royals, giving up four runs in five innings to suffer a loss back in 2013.
- Sparkman has never faced the Mets before.
- J.D. Davis remains out of the lineup with a calf issue. Aaron Altherr will start again in left field and bat eighth.
- Wilson Ramos will serve as the designated hitter today and bat fifth. Tomas Nido will catch and bat ninth.
- This is the final game of the Mets’ six-game road trip. The Mets are 2-3 so far on the trip.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
