Mets starter David Peterson wasn’t great today against the Nationals, he was good, though, and he’s learning that’s all he needs to be to win.
Mets lefty starter David Peterson struggled to find a pitch he could rely on today. Though it eluded him, he turned crafty, working the plate up and down and in and out to hamstring the Washington Nationals this afternoon in the first game of a day-night doubleheader.
Throwing strikes on the first pitch to only five of fifteen batters, Peterson had to battle back, tossing two wild pitches to the same hitter and walking three.
Not quite as sharp as he was in his last start, Peterson bent, but he didn’t break.
This may be why former Mets All-Star Ron Darling said during today’s PIX-11 telecast that he’d liked Peterson since day one. Darling went on to add a comparison to Tommy John, who combined a sinker and slider to confound hitters for more than twenty years.
Peterson, however, has another weapon in his arsenal – a 95-96mph fastball – but it all comes down to command of those pitchers.
At times today, David Peterson was not in command of any of his pitches and almost on the edge of giving up a 3-0 Mets lead. It never happened, and neither did the Mets sacrifice the lead. Instead, they added to it.
Alas, Peterson was pulled after 4.2 innings, a single out to qualify for a win. The Mets saw it differently, however, after an eleven-pitch at-bat to Trea Turner and 94 pitches.
The Mets and David Peterson call this a valuable learning experience and something to build on.
Mets Get An A+ Game From Francisco Lindor
It’s too bad this Mets game was played on the road because Francisco Lindor had the game of his year, stroking three hits, with two of them home runs, while driving home five runs.
Ironically, and in their own way, both Lindor and Peterson are integral parts of the Mets sustaining what they’ve started this year,
Lindor’s $341 million contracts signed over the winter immediately put a price tag on his head in a city that often takes no prisoners.
And wouldn’t you know it, Lindor begins the year looking like he couldn’t hit a pitch if he knew what was coming.
Comfortably set, though, in Luis Rojas‘ lineup in the second spot, Lindor, much like DJ LeMahieu, who has also been struggling, is the explosive table-setter for what lurks behind in the Mets order.
Naysayers insist on pointing to Lindor’s decline since his breakout 2018 season with the Indians when he scored 129 runs, stroked 38 home runs with 92 RBI.
These folks, though, have no regard for the makeup of Francisco Lindor, who from the moment he walked into the Mets clubhouse remains the upbeat and consummate teammate, regardless of his batting average.
It’s been no secret the Mets have been challenged to score runs, and today with five runs, they are 27-5 when they score five or more. Following two shutouts by the Cubs and Nationals, there’s no mystery but that the Mets need to build on today.
Mets: Ready Or Not – Here Comes Jacob deGrom
Beyond Lindor, the Mets will soon be charged by the return of Jeff McNeil (who played seven innings with a home run at Syracuse), Michael Conforto, and further down the road, J.D. Davis and Brandon Nimmo. (full update here)
With today’s doubleheader and two more within the next week, the Mets need only to keep their head above water to make it through the stretch unscathed and holding onto the bulk of their 4.5 lead in the NL East.
The drama will reach its climax following tomorrow’s rubber game in D.C. when the Mets return home to face the (still looking for an answer) Atlanta Braves (32-35), with the high chance that Jacob deGrom will make the start Monday, erasing whatever “advice” the Mets have given him.
I’ll join all Mets fans in saying, “Fingers crossed, Jake.” But let’s get that one tonight and tomorrow, first.
Here’s What Readers Are Saying…
Michael Daly I thought he pitched great ha. He just ran out of gas. 
R Anthony Otero Moreau-Torres
Still. ..Rojas should have let him get the 5 innings…Jesus…
Sean Kane Great outing
Michael Gaucher 2h 1R 6k isn’t great?
Michael A Guerin How many people were calling for Peterson to be sent down or bullpenned? We don’t know if he can pitch like these last 2 games but the Mets need him to stay in the rotation
Bill Morris That’s all we need him to do
Jason Robert Eroh The problem is if you’re a playoff team you shouldn’t have people learning on the job. Peterson wasn’t ready to be a starter in the majors and the Mets have been very unfair to him.
Baseball, it is said, is only a game. True. And the Grand Canyon is only a hole in Arizona. Not all holes, or games, are created equal.
