The pomp and circumstance continued for Bo Bichette on Tuesday night as the Mets and Blue Jays continued their series at the Rogers Center in what was Bichette’s first return to Toronto since signing with New York. After receiving standing ovations in Game 1, he once again received standing ovations and gave a tip of the cap to fans in his first at-bat of Game 2.
Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
The Mets on Monday dropped a close one to Toronto 2-1, and were looking to get back on track Tuesday. They did just that as the Mets shut out the Blue Jays 3-0.
Tuesday night’s matchup was a pitcher’s duel between the Blue Jays’ right-handed starter Kevin Gausman and Mets rookie right-handed phenom Nolan McLean, who finally looked back to his old ways.
The two teams were deadlocked 0-0 through four innings before the Mets finally struck first and broke the scoreless tie in the fifth. It came off the bat of Francisco Alvarez, who hit a solo home run to center field to put the Mets on the board.
Francisco Alvarez by Berto Carlo
Torrens extended the Mets’ lead in the seventh as both catchers went deep against Toronto. His opposite-field home run off of Blue Jays left-handed reliever Mason Fluharty made it a 2-0 Mets lead.
McLean’s day came to an end after six shutout innings. He gave up just five hits, walked two, and struck out seven before giving the ball to Brooks Raley in the seventh.
The Mets added insurance in the ninth. Ewing singled to lead off the inning, and later in the inning, with one out, Brett Baty drove him in on a sacrifice fly to make it 3-0.
That was all the Mets needed as the bullpen went on to continue and finish the shutout. Raley, Luke Weaver, and Devin Williams finished out the game and kept the shutout alive as the Mets went on to win game two 3-0.
In his second game back in Toronto, Bichette had just one hit, but he put on a huge show on defense with four great plays and long throws from third.
Player of the Game
The player of the game for Tuesday night is McLean with six shutout innings and seven strikeouts. He threw 91 pitches (63 for strikes).
On Deck
The Mets and Blue Jays close out their series on Wednesday afternoon. It will be a 3:07 p.m. first pitch for Canada Day in Toronto. Right-handed pitcher Freddy Peralta will be on the mound for the Mets. The Blue Jays have not yet announced a starter for Wednesday afternoon’s game and will likely go with a bullpen game.
