TBR Wiffle Ball

The Bats Come Alive in Wild Weekend Series

David S. Landsman

@mtlattherink

Nine months removed after winning the World Series championship series, the Mets

and their hot bats came alive at Orne Park in Marblehead, Massachusetts, as they

faced another TBR new franchise, the Athletics. Having won a record 19 in a row prior

to the series, most things went well for the Mets, but not all.

The Athletics got a big boost to the lineup as Drew Botta, who was a gametime

decision, was slotted in. As was Chase Stafford, who despite being drafted back in

2020, hadn’t laced them up since 2021. Newcomer Matt Cusolito was also making his

A’s debut, and his bat played a pivotal role in the three game set.

For the Mets, they added journeyman Robby Carpentier to their lineup, and although his

pitching wasn’t his best, his hot bat was also instrumental for his team. Jackson Hart

and Seth Helman returned to defend their league title.

METS 9

ATHLETICS 2

With their ace Jackson Hart on the mound for the Mets to start their 2023 campaign, he

started a bit of a shaky start, hitting Athletics captain Chase Stafford to lead off the ball

game. He regained his composure quickly, striking out last minute addition Drew Botta.

The next batter however, the newcomer Matt Cusolito launched a no doubter over the

left field for his first of ‘many’ on the afternoon.

Hart then was roughed up, loading the bases and putting Stafford in great position to

extend his team’s lead, but was unable as he flew out to Carpentier to end the inning

with a 2-0 advantage.

The bottom of the first saw Chase Stafford show his rust, allowing a first batter single to

Helman before walking the next three batters in succession, and reducing his team’s

lead to 2-1. Carpentier then flew out for the inning’s first out, but then Stafford walked

again the next three batters, in a row, before Hart finally grounded out to end the frame,

but not before the Mets rolled to a 4-2 lead.

The Athletics were unable to rebound in the top half in the second despite getting two

runners aboard with one away, Botta struck out swinging, ending the quick threat.

The bottom half of the second saw the Mets continue where they left off the previous

inning. First three batters yet again were walked by Stafford, who wasn’t on his best

finding the strike zone. But then he did managed to strike out Helman on a swinging foul

tip.

 

However it was then Carpentier who laced a two-run double up the middle for a quick 6-

2 lead. With the score 7-2, it was Carpentier yet again who provided the offense for his

team, this time a two-run single, giving him four runs batted in the inning alone. Hart

then struck out to end the bleeding at 9-2.

The top of the third was do or die for the Athletics, and yet again, they managed to get

two runners aboard, and again with one away, but it was Cusolito’s turn to stare down a

strike down the middle, and ending the ball game.

 

METS 10

ATHLETICS 9

The middle matchup of the afternoon was a bit more wild then the first, if you could

believe that. Cusolito took the mound for the Athletics for the first time this young

season, and his ill-prepared self was not ready for what was to come. Walking the first

two batters he then faced Hart, who made no mistake, launching a three-run blast over

the center field wall and quickly propelling the Mets to a three-run lead. The blast was

Hart’s first of the campaign after getting 23 last season.

Cusolito then made Helman go down swinging. A quick single by Carpentier and walk

by Hart put the Athletics in another dangerous position, but Helman popped out to

Stafford and the starting first half wound with the 3-0 lead.

The Athletics wanted desperately to force a third and deciding game, and wanted to

take advantage of Carpentier on the mound, off his normal position.

“I didn’t pitch well, I’m just not a pitcher, I never even claimed to be,” Carpentier said

following the matchups. “Did I want to? Yea. Should I have? Probably not.”

After Stafford reached second on a single and error, Botta had an RBI groundout that

cut the lead to 3-1. And that’s when Cusolito’s bat came alive (again), smacking a two-

run dinger to tie the game with his second of the day. The very next batter, Stafford,

was able to help contribute offensively, belting his first jack of the campaign and quickly

give his team their first lead of the ball game.

Following the back-to-back jacks, the Mets switched up their pitching and returned Hart

and Carpentier back to their regular slotted positions.

Botta walked, but then Cusolito whiffed to give them their first out. Stafford continued his

streakiness, finding the gap for an RBI triple and add to their lead. The first inning finally

ended with a score of 5-3 Athletics.

The top half of the second was explosive for the Mets. While the first three batters all

reached safely on a combination of two singles and a walk, Carpentier stepped up to

 

the plate and launched a mammoth grand slam over the left-center field wall. The

game’s lead quickly changed with one swing of the bat, and it was now 7-5 Mets.

The Athletics had troubles holding onto the ball as a few outfield errors led to Jackson

Hart launching another home run, a solo three-run bomb. The score was now a

whopping 9-5 for the Mets.

The bottom half of the season saw a tumbleweed roll by as they weren’t able to put

anything of importance up on the boards.

The Mets added another insurance run in the top of the third when Carpentier got a RBI

single while the bases were loaded. They headed to the bottom of the third up 10-5.

Carpentier was yet again put up on the mound, and yet again left people asking why, as

Cusolito launched the first pitch he faced and cleared the bases, his third home run of

the day. Then Carpentier proceeded to walk the next two batters, before Stafford, who

had been on a hot streak, continued, slamming a three-run shot over the left field wall

and cutting the lead to just one.

With the tying run in the hands of Drew Botta, Carpentier sent a pitch up that got the

batter overzealous, and he whiffed, ending the ball game a very close 10-9 margin, and

extending their winning streak to 21.

 

ATHLETICS 18

METS 11

The third game of the series between these two, although it didn’t matter in determining

a series winner, was still a very electric game for both squads, as their 29-run game is

now officially a TBR Wiffle Ball record.

The top half of the first saw a miscue by Cusolito running to third, and them unable to

plate a run.

In the bottom half of the first, Chase Stafford lost all control of where the strike zone

was, walking six batters in a row and making the score a 3-0 lead for the Mets despite

not getting a single hit. Helman then launched a three-run grand slam and got them out

to a commanding 6-0 lead after just the first inning of play.

The Athletics however were resilient and never giving up. With runners on second and

third, Botta and Stafford both exchanged singles, bringing the score to 6-2. And then

with the score 6-3, a shot by Stafford to the outfield was dropped by Helman to reduce

the deficit to 6-4 heading to the bottom of the second inning.

The Mets wanted to secure their winning streak, and in the bottom of the second, it

looked as they were on their way. Walking the first three batters he faced yet again,

 

Stafford was set to face off against Carpentier, who already had one grand slam on the

day. One pitch and Carpentier quickly had two salamis on the day, a no doubter, and

extending their lead to 10-4. The next batter Hart wanted to join in on the home run

parade, and shot his own, and the lead was a whopping 11-4 Mets heading to the top of

the third and decisive frame.

The Mets sent Carpentier, whose hot bat had helped them, back to the mound, to try

and record the save – but nobody knows why. The first batter he faced, Drew Botta said

‘see ya’ with a center field dinger, his first of the inning! Yes you read that right. With

runners on first and second, Botta was at it again, and like it was mentioned just before,

launched a moonbeam, and just like that, 11-8 Mets.

The Mets seemed a bit rattled, but weren’t going to give up, but kept Carpentier on the

mound. After a walk to Stafford, it was Cusolito to the plate, and he got his fourth of the

day, cutting the lead to just one. Botta and Stafford then singled before Cusolito

launched his second home run of the inning as well, and giving the Athletics a 14-11

lead.

That was enough for the Mets as they finally decided to swap pitchers, putting Helman

in. The only downside is the first batter he faced was Botta, who had the hat tricks of

homeruns, his third of the inning and making it quickly 15-11.

Helman then walked four in a row and it was 16-11. He managed to strike out Cusolito,

but then walked another three. When all was said and done, it was a disastrous inning,

18-11 as the Athletics put up a crazy 14 runs in the inning.

That completely gassed the Mets, but they knew they had to try everything to keep their

winning streak alive, but unfortunately they weren’t able to. Hart got to second on a

single and error, but then Helman popped out to the pitched and Carpentier struck out

swinging, ending the marathon game, and giving the Athletics their first ever franchise

win.

Cusolito, who had five home runs on the day, was named the Wears Woody Player of

the Series, despite playing for the losing side.

His teammate Botta, who himself had three jacks in the third game, third inning alone,

was proud after the game.

“The first two games I wasn’t seeing the ball well at all,” said Botta. “But that third game

I tried a new approach, and in the end I feel good.”

Captain Helman was pleased with the two wins, but not about the disappointment and

third game collapse.

“We won the World Series last year,” said Helman post-game. “So it doesn’t really

f***ing matter about that game.”

 

The Padres and Athletics are set to face off later this week.