Mets Edge Padres, 2-1, To Get Their Fourth Straight Win

The New York Mets won their fourth straight game as they took the opener of their three-game series against the San Diego Padres, 2-1, in a tight pitchers duel that featured another good start from Nolan McLean, some fine outfield work from right fielder Carson Benge and a sharp save from Daniel Duarte. 

All of the scoring happened early in this one as the Mets got on the board in the first inning off Padres starter Walker Buehler. A.J. Ewing started the game with a single, and Francisco Lindor walked. Bo Bichette singled to get the first run home, and Luis Robert Jr. drove in a second run with a sacrifice fly to make it 2-0. 

The Padres came back off McLean to scratch out a run as McLean lost the plate, walking two hitters and hitting Gavin Sheets with a pitch. McLean managed to mostly get out of the jam, but Fernando Tatis Jr. did get a run home with a sacrifice fly to cut the Mets lead to 2-1. 

McLean was rescued from further damage by some fine throwing from Benge, who short circuited a would-be Padres rally by throwing out two Padres in the first inning. His first throw nailed Jake Cronenworth at the plate at a speed of 99.9 mph, and Benge then gunned down Manny Machado with a throw that clocked in at 103.9. 

That score held through six innings as both starter put up zeroes. McLean’s overall line was less impressive as he scatted six hits and four walks to go with three strikouts, while Buehler posted a “deuces are wild” line as he gave up two hits, two runs and two walks to go with four strikeouts. 

The bullpens took over after that, with Jonathan Pintaro and Nate Lavender handling the relief chores for the Mets and Kyle Hart doing the honors for the Padres in the seventh and eighth. All three relievers kept the zeroes coming, although the Mets did briefly rally with a pair of singles from Marcus Semien and Jorge Polanco, but the rally died when Hart got three straight outs. 

The Mets turned to Daniel Duarte to close with Kodai Senga unavailable due after getting back-to-back saves, and Duarte was nails in the ninth as he posted his second save of the season. The Mets are now 10-3 since the trade deadline as they appeared to have figured out a way to play winning baseball.