Justin Verlander. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Mets (25-23) looked to follow up their thrilling game one victory in the nightcap of the split-admission doubleheader at Citi Field on Sunday night with a three-game series and doubleheader sweep. The Mets emerged over the Cleveland Guardians and got exactly that behind stellar pitching in a 2-1 win. Justin Verlander was terrific and turned in the team’s best pitching effort of the season, while the Mets got timely offense in the eighth inning.

After scoring first for the first time in 14 games in game one, the Mets were quickly behind in game two. José Ramírez launched an extremely deep two-out, solo shot to right field. This would be the only blemish on Verlander’s record. Regardless, New York found themselves in a 1-0 hole early.

That solo home run was the only tally of the game until the sixth inning when New York finally responded with a solo shot of their own. Francisco Lindor took former teammate Shane Bieber deep, 404 feet to left-center field. Just like that, the ballgame was tied up at one after six frames.

Justin Verlander’s extremely impressive day was finally over after eight terrific innings. Verlander delivered the Mets best outing by a starting pitcher this season, going the deepest into a game any starter has gone for New York so far this year. He threw 98 pitches and struck out five only allowing three hits and one run. He did not walk a batter and lowered his season ERA to 3.60.

The Mets helped out their veteran pitcher by making him the pitcher of record on the winning side in the bottom half of the eighth inning. After Francisco Álvarez lined a single over the second baseman’s head, Francisco Lindor‘s check-swing single got a stealing pinching-running Starling Marte to third base. Jeff McNeil then finished it off with a two-strike sacrifice fly to left field. This gave the Mets a 2-1 the lead headed to the final inning.

Brooks Raley came on for the save opportunity, his first with the Mets. After making a terrific play to retire Steven Kwan, he hit Amed Rosario. Fortunately, for the Mets, Ramírez grounded into a game-ending double play. New York got the doubleheader and three-game series sweep via the 2-1 victory.

Pitching dominated the game for New York. Verlander, then Raley, combined to retire 22 of the final 24 Guardian batters and last allowed a hit back in the fifth inning. The pitchers also faced the minimum over the last three innings.

Player of the Game: Justin Verlander

It was the best start by a Mets’ starting pitcher this season. This is the type of stuff New York envisioned when they brought the future Hall-of-Fame pitcher to Flushing in the offseason. Verlander’s terrific final line read: 8 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 5 SO (98 pitches). This performance lowered his season ERA to 3.60.

During the start, Verlander induced 12 swing and misses. He also set down each of the last 10 batters he faced and 20 of the last 21. It was really magical stuff from one of the Mets’ co-aces after Max Scherzer dominated earlier in the day.

On Deck

The Mets will once again get Monday off before traveling to Wrigley Field. On Tuesday, New York will begin their three-game series with the Cubs (20-26). Game one is scheduled for a 7:40 pm ET first pitch. The probable pitching matchup for the first game is Kodai Senga (4-2, 3.77 ERA) versus Drew Smyly (4-1, 2.86 ERA).