Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

David Peterson continued the early season Mets rotation dominance in his first start of the year. This season, the southpaw has yet to give up a run through two mound appearances (one start). He continued to pitch well on Sunday against the Arizona Diamondbacks, giving up just three hits and no runs in 4.1 innings pitched in his first start of the 2022 season. He walked two and struck out four on 80 pitches (47 for strikes).

Today was initially scheduled to be a start by Taijuan Walker, but with Walker out on injury, Peterson got the call to take the ball for the Mets and gave the Mets just what they needed in a quality, scoreless outing. It was an encouraging day for Peterson, who proved he could be the “next man up” and live up to that mentality.

The only hits Peterson gave up on Sunday were a walk to Daulton Varsho in the second, a double to Carson Kelly in the fourth, and a single to Pavin Smith in the fourth.

He was replaced on the mound with one out in the fifth by relief pitcher Trevor Williams.

In total, in 2022, Peterson has thrown 8.1 innings and has given up no runs on six total hits, four walks, and has struck out seven. He has a WHIP of 1.20 and an ERA of 0.00.

Coming into Sunday’s matchup against the Diamondbacks, the Mets owned the lowest ERA in the MLB. He was asked after the game if he had any added pressure to live up to that stat-line.

“It gives you confidence,” Peterson said. “You see guys go out there, the guys that you want to fight with every day shoulder to shoulder; you see them do well. It makes you want to do well.”

Peterson did just that on Sunday. He was scoreless and helped improve the Mets’ ERA to 1.07 this season, still the lowest in the major leagues.

“It doesn’t go unnoticed that our depth has been tested early,” said manager Buck Showalter in his post-game interview. “We got two guys in the rotation we were expecting to be a part of our depth during the course of the season. But very quietly, Pete [David Peterson] and Tylor [Megill] have stepped up to take some of the must off of guys like Scherzer, Carlos, and Bassitt. It bodes well for us down the road.”