The New York Mets fell to the Seattle Mariners in their series opener Monday night, 3-2. It was the same story offensively for the Mets, who ran into a Mariners rotation who could end the year with five different starters earning Cy Young votes. This time Emerson Hancock limited the Mets to just two hits, both solo home runs.

The Mets pitching did their part again in this low-scoring affair, giving up only four hits and a walk in 9 and ⅓ innings. Outside of also giving up a couple of solo homers, everyone did their part, particularly veteran lefty Sean Manaea. 

Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

Manaea twirled a five-inning gem from the second through the sixth inning. Outside of a solo shot to rookie Colt Emerson in the third, the only other baserunner Manaea allowed was Cole Young, who worked a six-pitch walk in the second. 

With every game feeling more important than the last as the Mets try to climb out of the hole they dug themselves into, Manaea stepped up. Less than a week ago, he earned another opportunity in the rotation after David Peterson was moved to the bullpen following another poor outing. Monday’s performance gave the Mets reason to believe he can stabilize the back end of the staff.

It’s not surprising Manaea will be getting a continued look in a larger role given his performance as of late, including Monday night’s outing:

  • First eight games: 22.1 IP, 6.85 ERA, 4.43 FIP, 1.75 WHIP, 24 SO, 10 BB
  • Last five games: 16.2 IP, 2.70 ERA, 2.95 FIP, 1.08 WHIP, 18 SO, 6 BB

Only two of the 63 pitches Manaea threw were hit hard, and he also switched up his pitch usage.

On the year, Manaea has thrown his four seamer (37.3%) and his sweeper (32.8%) the most with his sinker (19.3%) in the middle ground and his cutter (5.6%) and changeup (4.9%) the most seldom used. But against the Mariners, Manaea flipped his four seamer and sinker usage rates and ditched his changeup entirely. On top of that, he threw the hardest he’s thrown all year averaging 91.9 and topping out at 93.8 mph. For reference, coming into the night Manaea has averaged just under 90 mph.

As manager Carlos Mendoza said after the game, “that’s the guy that we saw in 2024.” It remains to be seen how much of Manaea’s 2024 form he can recapture. For now, both Manaea and the Mets will gladly take outings like this one.