Mets Capture Third Shutout Of Season, Defeat Diamondbacks 5-0

The New York Mets (7-3) finished off their first home series of the season with another shutout, the team’s third of the young season. The 5-0 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks (3-6) at Citi Field Sunday afternoon saw David Peterson successfully make his first start of the season. The Mets also dedicated their press box to long-time Mets’ public relations worker Jay Horwitz before the game.

The contest started extremely slow. Diamondbacks’ pitcher Humberto Castellanos struggled to get through the first couple innings clean. However, despite leaving four men on base through the first three innings, it was Arizona who almost struck first. Peterson, who pitched another solid game, found himself with a runner on second and first with only one out. He was able to strike out Daulton Varsho and get the third out of the inning courtesy of a fielder’s choice.

Peterson’s day came to an end in the fifth inning. His final line read 4 1/3 innings pitched, three hits, no runs, two walks, and four strike outs. He certainly picked up right where he left off after the strong relief appearance in Philadelphia. The Mets’ starting rotation now owns an ERA of 1.07 through 10 games.

Trevor Williams (0.2 IP, 2 H, 1 SO) relieved Peterson and got out of a jam in the fifth and then was relieved by Chasen Shreve in the sixth. This after a second misplayed ball by Starling Marte in right field (albeit, likely wind-related). Shreve worked some magic and got the Mets out of trouble once again, helping the game remain scoreless entering the bottom of the sixth.

Finally, the Mets broke through. A Fransisco Lindor single, followed by a fielder’s choice resulted in Pete Alonso at first with one out. Eduardo Escobar looped a ball over the first baseman’s head. An aggressive Escobar tried legging out a double and drew an errant throw by right-fielder Pavin Smith. This resulted in both Alonso scoring and Escobar advancing to third on the error. It was a terrific all-around effort by Escobar to help plate the game’s first run.

J.D. Davis entered the game as a pinch-hitter and proved Buck Schowalter’s move as the correct one. He registered a two-strike single to drive Escobar home and advance Smith to third. James McCann then drove in Smith via a sacrifice fly. The Mets took a 3-0 lead to the seventh inning.

Shreve finished up his work for the day in the seventh. He pitched a 1-2-3 inning and finished his day with two extremely strong innings. His final line read: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 BB, 2 SO. He has only allowed one run across 5 and 1/3 innings this season, while striking out seven.

Designated hitter Pete Alonso added some insurance in the seventh. After a Lindor two-out walk, Alonso cracked a two-run home run to left field. It was a line drive shot that cut through the blistering wind off the bat at 112 MPH. The Mets had a comfortable 5-0 lead after seven innings.

Drew Smith pitched a scoreless eighth. Edwin Diaz, who hadn’t pitched in four days, pitched a another strong inning, striking out two. The Mets’ pitching staff was terrific once again Sunday afternoon, only allowing five hits and struck out 10.

Player of the Game: Pete Alonso

Alonso’s two runs batted in Sunday afternoon gives him 14 (11 of which coming in the designated hitter role) on the season. As of writing, he leads the National League and is one off the best mark in the MLB.

On the day, Alonso went 1-for-4 but secured the Mets’ victory with an impressive two-run home run. Given the wind, a home run from anybody seemed unlikely Sunday afternoon. He also scored two runs himself. The designated hitter version of Pete has certainly been a success so far this season.

On Deck:

The Mets will face an extremely tough test with their next series. Starting tomorrow at 7:10 PM ET, the San Francisco Giants (7-2) – who have won five in a row – will come to town for a four game series. The projected pitching matchup for game one is Alex Cobb versus Tylor Megill.