Remembering Mets History: (2016) Mets Win Home Opener & Raise the NL Championship Flag

Friday April 8th 2016: Mets Home Opener- The largest regular season day crowd came out to Citi Field to see the Mets raise the 2015 NL Championship flag as well as start out another Championship run for 2016.

The pregame ceremony led to the unveiling of the 2015 NL Champions banner & Rusty Staub along with Edgardo Alfonzo & John Franco raising the NL Championship banner in right field. Staub a member of the 1973 NL Champion Mets team, Franco & Alfonzo members of the 2000 NL champion Mets club.

On the mound for the Mets it was Jacob deGrom, standing by for father duties, ready to leave in case his wife was to give berth to the couples new baby. The Mets hosted Pete Mackanin's Philadelphia Phillies who were already 0-3 on the year.

In the bottom of the 2nd, Michael Conforto was hit by a pitch from pitcher Jerad Eickhoff. Then Asdrubal Cabrera also reached base, this due to an error on the short stop after attempting to field a force play throw. Travis d'Arnaud then walked to load the bases. The Mets were able to score on Jacob deGrom's ground out, making it 1-0.

deGrom kept the Phillies off the board through the first five innings. In the 6th he gave up one run as the pitcher doubled & Odubel Herrera singled. His day was over as he suffered a strain in his lat on the right side. In six innings he allowed one run on five hits with no walks & six strike outs. A fine first start of the season.

The Mets answered in the home 6th as Lucas Duda led off with a double. Then the newest Met hero Neil Walker singled to center making it 2-1 as Duda scored. Next, young slugger Michael Conforto continued his hot start with a double down the line scoring Walker hustling all the way from first base. It was 3-1 Mets.

In the Mets 7th inning, David Wright drew a one out walk. Yoenis Cespedes then singled to left field & Duda drew a walk to load the bases.

Neil Walker then collected his second hit of the day with his second RBI of the day, bringing in Wright with the fourth run. The hot Conforto remained on fire as he singled to right field bringing in Cespedes & Duda making it 6-1 Mets. Conforto had three RBIs on the day.



Travis d'Arnaud finished off the Mets scoring with a base hit RBI making it 7-1. The Mets went on to a 7-2 victory in front of the home fans.

The Mets bullpen saw Jim Henderson put in another fine inning with a pair of strike outs. Hansel Robles had a rough outing allowing a run on two hits, but Jerry Blevins put out the fire. Antonio Bastardo struck out two in the 9th, allowing a hit closing out the game.