The New York Mets enjoyed an extra-innings victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks in the series opener on Tuesday and are looking to win the series on Wednesday.
The New York Mets are looking to win its fifth straight game and stay atop the National League East division after winning the series opener 4-3 in 10 innings against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday.
The Mets came back and won with the help of infielder Ronny Mauricio, who was called up in the wake of outfielder Juan Soto being put on the 10-day injured list. Mauricio was the walk-off hero in his first plate appearance of the season, a pinch-hit single to right field scored shortstop Francisco Lindor and sealed the deal.
The Mets got off to a cold start offensively but have turned it around with timely hitting and contributions from its newly acquired players. Right-hander Freddy Peralta hasn’t been the efficient 17-game winner we saw a season ago, but he is battling to keep himself and the Mets in games through three starts.
Peralta allowed three runs on three hits and three walks with five strikeouts through 4.2 innings, and he gave up a 2-0 lead during his fifth inning of work before getting pulled. New York’s new ace is adjusting, as are third baseman Bo Bichette, designated hitter/infielder Jorge Polanco and second baseman Marcus Semien.
Bichette is hitting just .200 with a .466 OPS but has hits in five of six games in April (including two multi-hit performances), Polanco is hitting .222 with a .623 OPS but has back-to-back two-hit games and Semien is hitting .231 but had a four-game hit streak (including two multi-hit games) before going 0-4 against Arizona.
Luis Robert Jr. has been the best addition to the Mets, batting .313 with an .882 OPS, one home run, six RBI and 10 walks to just seven strikeouts. Robert’s career resurgence has been fun to watch, and he’s been a huge factor in New York’s winning streak.
The Mets will turn to left-hander David Peterson to keep the good vibes going against Diamondbacks right-hander Ryne Nelson in the second game of the three-game set.
Peterson had a great first start against the Pittsburgh Pirates, throwing 5.1 scoreless innings of six-hit ball with two walks and three strikeouts, but didn’t have the same luck in his second start against the San Francisco Giants. Peterson lasted 4.1 innings and allowed six runs (five earned) on nine hits and two walks with five strikeouts. The big lefty will take on this lineup:
1. Ketel Marte (2B)
2. Corbin Carroll (RF)
3. Geraldo Perdomo (SS)
4. Gabriel Moreno (C)
5. Nolan Arenado (3B)
6. Ildemaro Vargas (2B)
7. Jose Fernandez (1B)
8. Tim Tawa (LF)
9. Jorge Barrosa (CF)
Arenado and Vargas have success against Peterson in limited plate appearances, so look for them to factor into the scoring today.
Nelson pitched 4.2 innings in both of his starts against the Los Angeles Dodgers and Atlanta Braves, allowing four runs on two hits and three walks with four strikeouts against LA and seven runs (two earned) on three hits and three walks with three punchouts against Atlanta. He goes up against the same Mets lineup as yesterday’s.
1. Lindor (SS)
2. Bichette (3B)
3. Polanco (DH)
4. Robert (CF)
5. Brett Baty (RF)
6. Mark Vientos (1B)
7. Semien (2B)
8. Carson Benge (LF)
9. Francisco Alvarez (C)
Lindor is hitting .400 with a homer in 10 at-bats against Nelson while Vientos is 2-for-6. I expect Lindor to start heating up after a two-hit performance in the opener.
First pitch is at 4:10 p.m. EST on MLB.TV and regional sports networks.