Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Carlos Carrasco’s first inning struggles continued on Sunday night against the Yankees. He opened his outing by walking the first two batters he faced and was faced with a very quick mound visit early in the first inning.

Following the two walks, Giancarlo Stanton hit a one-out RBI double that scored DJ LeMahieu to give the Yankees a 1-0 lead over the Mets in the first. Later in the inning, Joey Gallo hit a sacrifice fly that scored Anthony Rizzo to extend the Yankees’ lead to 2-0.

Carrasco has had first inning issues the majority of the season. He has thrown nine first innings, giving up 15 earned runs, with a 15.00 ERA in the first inning in 2021. In subsequent innings, he has a 2.73 ERA.

Carrasco then settled in and pitched well in the second through fifth inning. Overall, he gave up just three hits and two runs during his outing. Outside of the first inning, Carrasco pitched well on Sunday night. If he can get through more first innings without giving up runs, he would be more successful. He was replaced on the mound by Jeurys Familia in the sixth inning.

Carrasco’s final line: 5 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 5 SO, 0 HR, 5.95 ERA

Carrasco left the game with a lead, but he ultimately walked away with a no-decision.

The righty said that the whole infield–Lindor, Báez, Villar and Alonso–all encouraged him and settled him down despite another round of first-inning struggles. “This is your game,” he said Lindor told him.

He also said he’s feeling good about the way he’s been pitching recently. That’s shown with a 3.22 ERA over his last four starts. Seven of the 11 total runs allowed his last four starts have come in the first inning, meaning he’s allowed just four total runs in the other 18 1/3 innings of his last four starts.