RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesNEW YORK — If there is anything worth coming to Citi Field for after Monday, it’s the kids. The kids are alright.
Of course, if you’ve followed the Mets at all this season, you already knew that. The rising rookies have provided hope for the Mets and for fans since opening day. In the final week before the trade deadline, it’s been no different.
For the second time in as many nights, one of the Mets’ young starters dueled a talented starter with more experience. Wednesday night, Christian Scott and Atlanta Braves veteran Chris Sale nearly went pitch-for-pitch. Thursday, in the series opener against the Miami Marlins, Nolan McLean went against Eury Perez in the Mets’ 4-2 win at Citi Field.
McLean didn’t earn a decision, leaving with the game tied at 2 before Luis Robert Jr. hit a go-ahead single in the eighth inning to score two and complete the comeback for the Mets (47-63). Still, it was yet another solid start for the right-hander, with the Fish managing two earned runs on six hits over 6 1/3 innings, completing six innings in his eighth straight outing. McLean walked two, struck out six and now has a 3.29 ERA on the season over 22 starts.
The right-handed Perez isn’t exactly Chris Sale, but he’s been a key part of an upstart Marlins (55-55) team that is only two games out of a wild-card spot in the National League. He’s also been tough to figure out as of late, with an ERA under 2.00 over his last six starts. The Mets weren’t able to figure him out in May, and they failed to crack him until the sixth inning this time out.
Perez no-hit the Mets over 4 2/3 innings, facing one over the minimum until then by walking Francisco Alvarez in the third. Marcus Semien broke up the no-hitter with a single to left field that hit off the third-base bag.
Down 1-0 in the bottom of the sixth with Alvarez on second and one out, Francisco Lindor hit a line drive to right field for the tying RBI, and Bo Bichette followed with a ground ball past Perez up the middle. Second baseman Xavier Edwards stabbed at it with his glove, unable to make a play, putting runners on first and second.
After Perez retired Carson Benge, Luis Robert Jr. hit a grounder to third base, but Graham Pauley missed the ball completely, and it rolled into left, allowing Lindor to come home and pull the Mets ahead 2-1.
The lead didn’t last; Jakob Marsee pulled a 3-0 fastball into the right-field stands with one out in the top of the seventh, knotting the game once again, but the Mets were able to complete the comeback against the Miami bullpen.
Robert’s heroics came with two out and runners on second and third against right-hander Michael Petersen. It set up closer Devin Williams for his 16th save of the season.
Left-hander Zac Thornton, another rookie starter, will throw Saturday. If the Mets manage to trade both Freddy Peralta and Clay Holmes on Monday at the deadline, a fourth rookie could be added to the mix, right-hander Jonah Tong. Not to mention, outfielders A.J. Ewing and Carson Benge have been exceptionally fun to watch in the way they play the game.
This season couldn’t have gone worse for the Mets, but the kids are still playing with joy and bringing some joy back to Citi Field.
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