Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
The New York Mets (48-29) and the Texas Rangers (36-39) played game one of a three-game series Friday evening at Citi Field. The Mets came into the game having lost three in a row for the first time this season and were looking to get back to winning. They were successful, thanks to solid pitching from David Peterson and the bullpen, and a huge home run by Eduardo Escobar. The final score was 4-3 Mets.
Peterson got the start for New York in place of Chris Bassitt, who was placed on the COVID IL prior to the game. Peterson was on baby watch, as his pregnant wife is due to give birth at any moment. Despite the stress, he started the game well, breezing through the first two innings. Peterson was also cruising to start the third inning as well, getting two quick outs. But he then gave up a solo home run to Marcus Semien and the Rangers took a 1-0 lead.
The Mets had the lead-off man reach base in two of the first three innings but were unable to score. That changed in the fourth inning, when Francisco Lindor led off with a walk and eventually scored. After a Jeff McNeil walk put runners on first and second with one out, Mark Canha laced a double down the third base line, scoring Lindor to tie the game. Luis Guillorme was up next, but he grounded out and failed to advance the runners. It was left to Escobar to try and do some two-out damage, and boy did he. He blasted a three-run homer to right field, his seventh home run of the season, giving the Mets a 4-1 lead.
Peterson started off the fifth inning with a strikeout, his seventh of the game, but then he gave up a solo home run to Nathaniel Lowe, cutting the Mets lead to 4-2. Peterson bounced back nicely, striking out the next two batters bringing his strikeout total to nine.
After the Mets went down quietly in the bottom of the fifth inning, Peterson ran into some trouble in the top of the sixth. He gave up a leadoff single to Semien, who advanced to second on a fielder’s choice. A wild pick-off attempt from Peterson allowed Semien to reach third, and he scored on a groundout to Guillorme. The Mets were down to a one-run lead, up 4-3, but Peterson was able to finish the inning, striking out Kole Calhoun for the final out and ending. It was Peterson’s tenth strikeout of the game, matching his career high, and ending his night.
Seth Lugo came in to pitch the seventh inning. He set the Rangers down in order, with two strikeouts. Adam Ottavino got the eighth inning for the Mets. He gave up a lead-off single, but then got Semien to ground into a double play, and retired the side with another ground out.
The Mets threatened in the bottom of the eighth, after Starling Marte led off with a single. He stole second on a Lindor strikeout and took third on a wild pitch. But both McNeil and Canha were unable to drive Marte in, and Mets lead remained 4-3 heading into the top of the ninth.
Edwin Diaz came in for the save situation and retired the side in order, for his 17th save of the season.
Player of the Game: Eduardo Escobar
Escobar really came up big in the fourth inning when he hit his three-run homer. He gave the Mets all the runs they needed to win the game. It was nice to see Escobar be the hero this game, especially with the struggles he’s had at the plate this season.
On Deck
The Mets and Rangers will play game two of their series Saturday afternoon at Citi Field. Game time is 4:10 p.m. and it will be aired on SNY. Martin Perez is set to start for the Rangers, while the Mets’ starter is TBD.
