Mets Nip Dodgers by a Run

Thanks to a bloop double to left by Duda, an infield single by Flores,  a sacrifice fly to deep center by Plawecki, all at the top of the ninth, plus superb pitching by Syndergaard, Robles, and Familia, the Mets eked out a 2-1 win in Los Angeles. Other than that, another scrambled lineup, this one with Mayberry batting cleanup despite hitting only .193 with an ISO of .182.

In the seventh, Cuddyer returned to the lineup, pinch-hitting, but struck out, his 68th strikeout this season against 18 walks, a 3.8 to 1 ratio, far above his career K/BB ratio of 2.1 to 1.

In an article posted today on mets.com, GM Sandy Alderson is quoted as saying this about the team's performance:

"I've talked with hitting coaches. I know what they're doing," he said. "They see progress, I see progress in terms of peripherals. That's not to say we're going to stick with the players we have. There are reasons hidden among the angst for some optimism. But we're also looking at ways to change things up a little bit."

What the heck is "progress in terms of peripherals"? He's speaking too much like a politician.