Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Mets (82-46) may not be getting prolific offense lately, but they continue to find ways to get it done, coming out on top by a score of 3-0 against the Colorado Rockies (54-74) on Saturday night. The game was preceded by the first Old Timers’ Day in Queens in nearly 30 years, and the current Mets made those franchise legends proud. Led by a strong outing from David Peterson and a big day at the plate from Brandon Nimmo, the Mets shut out the Rockies, their 17th shutout victory of the season.

Peterson was looking to rebound from a tough start last time out against the Philadelphia Phillies, but he ran into trouble almost immediately. He allowed two singles in the top of the first inning, eventually working his way out of the jam without giving up a run.

The Mets did not squander their chance at taking an early lead, jumping on Rockies starter Kyle Freeland in the bottom of the first. Nimmo crushed a leadoff homer to put the Mets up 1-0, his 12th home run of the season and his fourth against a left-handed pitcher. It was the sixth leadoff homer of his career, his first since the 2020 season.

Peterson shut down the Rockies offense over the next few innings, retiring 10 straight batters after that tumultuous first frame. The Rockies worked long counts against Peterson, but they failed to make any meaningful contact, as all of their hits against him were singles.

Freeland was not so lucky, as Nimmo roped an RBI double in the second inning to extend the Mets’ lead to 2-0. Nimmo had two extra-base hits and two RBI through his first two at-bats, putting him up to 44 RBI on the year. The Mets chased Freeland out of the game after five innings, allowing two runs on four hits and only recording two strikeouts.

The Mets had a chance to score again in the fourth inning after Mark Canha led off the inning with a double, but they failed to drive him in. Canha has 11 extra-base hits in his last 12 games after collecting just 18 extra-base hits in his first 95 games for the Mets.

Peterson’s day was done after six fantastic innings. He allowed no runs on four hits, striking out seven and not walking a single batter. He has a 3.09 ERA in his 16 starts this season, and he has provided some much-needed stability in the starting rotation for a group that has been ravaged by injuries.

The Mets got some added insurance in the bottom of the seventh inning courtesy of Starling Marte, who doubled home Nimmo to make it a 3-0 game. Marte is now up to 24 doubles and 59 RBI on the season.

Seth Lugo was brought in to pitch the seventh inning and he picked up right where Peterson left off, retiring the Rockies in order and striking out two. Trevor May followed Lugo out of the bullpen for the eighth inning and did the same exact thing, striking out two batters and preserving the zero in the run column.

With Edwin Díaz unavailable to pitch, the Mets turned to Adam Ottavino to close out the ninth. He got the final three outs without much difficulty, recording his second save of the series after entering Thursday’s game with none this season.

Player of the Game: Brandon Nimmo

Nimmo continues to be an invaluable piece of this Mets team, providing everything that an organization should expect from a prototypical leadoff hitter. He collected two hits including his first leadoff homer of the season, he reached base three times, and he drove in two of the team’s three runs. He has a .438 on-base percentage over his last seven games, setting the table for the offense on a nightly basis.

Final line for Nimmo: 2-for-3, HR (12), 2 RBI, 2 R, BB, SO

On Deck

The Mets will go for the four-game series sweep when they take on the Rockies on Sunday afternoon at Citi Field. First pitch is set for 1:40pm ET, and the game will be broadcast on PIX11. The Mets will send Max Scherzer to the mound, while the Rockies will call on Germán Márquez.