Pitching was the focus of Sunday afternoon as both the New York Mets and Chicago White Sox’s pitching staffs battled it out. After remaining scoreless for the first seven-and-a-half innings, both the Mets and the White Sox finally scored runs. However, the White Sox triumphed in the end with a walk-off home run, winning the game 2-1 and handing the Mets a loss in the series finale. Sunday’s loss was the Mets’ seventh walk-off loss of the season.
Nolan McLean was outstanding as the starter for the Mets, pitching six strong innings in which he struck out six batters, walked four, and allowed just one hit. His performance lowered his season ERA to 3.21. In his last seven appearances, McLean has posted an impressive ERA of 2.40, accumulating 43 strikeouts over 41 and one-third innings, with a WHIP of 1.21.
Dedniel Nunez pitched a scoreless inning, but the White Sox finally broke through against Daniel Duarte. After allowing a hit to Miguel Vargas, Duarte gave up a double to Andrew Benintendi, which brought Vargas home from first base. Duarte finished the eighth inning strong, striking out Colson Montgomery.
The Mets’ offense struggled against a White Sox team that was employing a bullpen game, managing only five hits against pitchers Sean Newcomb, Erick Fedde, and Hagen Smith.
Francisco Lindor recorded two of those hits, while the Mets left eight runners on base and went 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position until the ninth inning. Carson Benge, A.J. Ewing, and Luis Robert Jr. also added hits as the ninth inning approached.
The Mets’ bats finally came alive against Grant Taylor. After Bo Bichette grounded out, Carson Benge ignited the rally with a single to left field and advanced to second when Luis Robert Jr. walked. Jared Young delivered an RBI single to center, scoring Benge and tying the game at 1-1, while moving Robert to second base.
Francisco Alvarez struck out swinging for the second out, but Marcus Semien drew a walk to load the bases. Taylor then struck out A.J. Ewing, sending the game to the bottom of the ninth.
Kodai Senga entered the game after pitching on consecutive days and throwing 23 pitches the night before. His fatigue showed, as he struggled to find his control on the mound and ultimately gave up a walk-off home run to Tristan Peters on a fastball that was near the middle of the plate.
A.J. Ewing made a valiant effort to catch the home run, but he came up just short; the ball grazed the tips of his glove and landed in the stands.
This marked the second walk-off win for the White Sox in the series, with the first occurring on Friday night, when Jake Rogers hit a home run to clinch the victory against Jefry Yan.
Player of the Game: Nolan McLean
Nolan McLean put out another strong outing, going six innings, striking out six, and only allowing one hit. McLean’s rebound on the mound has given this team a jolt in the arm, helping energize the Mets’ late-season resurgence.
On Deck
The Mets fly home on their off-day on Monday but welcome the first-place Milwaukee Brewers to town on Tuesday. Zac Thornton (3-4, 3.04 ERA) will start on the mound for the Mets while the Brewers have not yet announced a starter for the opening game of the series. First pitch will take place at 7:10 pm ET and will be broadcast on SNY and Mets Radio 880.
