Mets Eke Out a Win Against the Diamondbacks in Extras

The New York Mets (11-4) defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks (5-9) Friday night at Chase Field by a score of 6-5. The game was David Peterson’s second career start in Arizona. In his first start he did not make it out of the first inning, giving up five runs. However, it went much better this time around, as he pitched five and 5 2/3 innings, giving up only one run. Peterson’s effort was almost for naught, as Edwin Diaz surrendered a game-tying home run for his first blown save of the year. But the Mets regained the lead in the tenth and Seth Lugo was able to close out the game.

Both offenses started the game slow, the first 15 batters were all retired. Peterson did not allow a hit until the third inning, a leadoff double by Pavin Smith. Smith would take third on Jose Herrera’s first major league hit and would score the first run of the game on a Cooper Hummel groundout.

Zac Gallen started for the Diamondbacks and held the Mets hitless through three innings while striking out six. Brandon Nimmo broke up Gallen’s perfect start to the night, leading off the fourth inning with a shift-beating double through the vacated third base side. Nimmo would reach third on a fielder’s choice off the bat of Francisco Lindor before scoring on Pete Alonso’s bloop hit to right field.

The game remained tied at one for the next two innings, with each pitcher facing the minimum over those innings. Peterson was aided by a brain lapse by Smith, who was picked off at first on a routine fly out to Mark Canha.

Nimmo got things going for the Mets again in the top of sixth inning with a leadoff single against ex-Met Oliver Perez. He went first to third on a line drive to left field off the bat of Starling Marte. Nimmo scored courtesy of a sacrifice fly via Lindor and Marte scored on a weak ground ball by Alonso, putting the Mets up 3-1.

Peterson got the first two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning before giving up a double to Ketel Marte, which ended his night. Drew Smith came on in relief, and after walking Matt Davidson, he got the final out by striking out Christian Walker.

The Mets added to their lead in the top of the seventh inning when James McCann hit a two-run homer, his first home run of the season. It was also the longest home run of his career measuring 452 feet, beating his previous long of 446 feet from August of 2019.

Chasen Shreve pitched the bottom of the seventh for the Mets. The Diamondbacks would get a run back against Shreve, making the score 5-2. After Shreve recorded two outs, Trevor May came in to get the final out of the inning.

May stayed in and pitched the bottom of the eighth as well, his second multiple inning outing of the season. His first outing in Philadelphia did not got well. After giving up a leadoff double, things seemed to be going better for May this time around, as he recorded back-to-back strikeouts. However, he surrendered a two-run homer to Christian Walker on a good up-and-in pitch, and the Diamondbacks were back within a run.

After the Mets went down quietly in the top of the ninth, Mets’ closer Diaz came on in looking for his second save of the season. Diaz started out well, retiring the first two hitters easily. However, he then gave up a solo home run Daulton Varsho and the Diamondbacks tied the game. Diaz struck out his final batter, sending the game into extra innings.

The free-runner came in handy for the Mets in the top of the tenth inning, as Jeff McNeil advanced to third on a McCann ground out, and scored on a Marte infield single. The Mets were up by one in the bottom of the tenth, and it was Seth Lugo‘s turn to try to close things out. Lugo fared better than Diaz and was able to record the save, striking out two and only giving up a two-out walk.

Player of the Game: David Peterson

Peterson showed no ill effects from his rough start in Arizona last year. His 5 2/3 innings of one-run ball brought down his 135.00 ERA at Chase Field significantly. He has done an admirable job this year filling in for the injured Taijuan Walker and it seems his struggles last year may have been simply a sophomore slump.

On Deck:

The Mets will face the Diamondbacks again on Saturday at 8:10 PM ET. The Mets’ starter is officially too be announced, but is likely to be long man Trevor Williams. Arizona is projected to roll with Humberto Castellanos. The game will be aired on WPIX.