Voglebach Slam Powers Mets Over Nats

While many have questioned the Mets approach to the trade deadline, nobody is questioning how well Daniel Voglebach is hitting for the Amazin's since it acquired the portly slugger 10 days ago from the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Voglebach had two hits on Wednesday afternoon, one of which was a grand slam homer in the top of the fifth inning that gave New York a 6-0 lead and proved to be the difference in a 9-5 victory over the Washington Nationals.

Voglebach, who was brought in as a designated hitting specialist against right handed pitchers, is hitting .308 since coming to Queens with that grand slam homer and four RBI. He has also drawn seven walks in 33 plate appearances, good enough for a .471 on base percentage.

While the Mets took a risky gamble bringing in two different designated hitters (Voglebach and Darin Ruf) both of whom specialize in hitting against a specific pitching angle, it is without question it's working -- so far -- with Voglebach. The Mets are putting him situations to succeed.

Meanwhile, the Mets last second addition of reliever Mychal Givens got off to a inauspicious start for the Mets. Brought on to close out a 9-0 ball game, Givens couldn't find the plate in the ninth inning. He served up back-to-back homers to Keibert Ruiz and Lane Thomas, and left the game charged with five runs in two-thirds of an inning.

Givens was acquired at the last second via a deal with the Chicago Cubs. The Mets were hoping to add more relievers, and were even interested in Givens' former teammate David Robertsron, but the righty was traded to the Phillies instead, leaving the Mets to pivot to Givens.

Still it's a victory, a big one at that as the Mets open a five-game series at home against the Atlanta Braves this weekend.