Peterson Pelted in Poor Performance in Pittsburgh

With the injuries mounting to the starting rotation, the Mets could have used a steadying performance from David Peterson Friday in Pittsburgh. They didn’t get it.

The Pirates (33-50), last in the National League in runs scored, erupted for four runs in the second inning, and the normally dependable Peterson was ineffective for the second start in a row in a 9-1 loss at PNC Park.

It was the unlikeliest part of the unlikeliest lineup that did the damage, with hitters 6 through 9 connecting for four hits in a row in the second. Ke’Bryan Hayes singled, Jared Triolo singled, Alexander Canario doubled over Juan Soto‘s head and Isiah Kiner-Falefa singled. Leadoff hitter Tommy Pham followed with an RBI groundout and the Pirates led 4-0.

Hayes added an RBI double in the fifth that chased Peterson. His final line: 4 2/3 innings, five earned runs, seven hits, three walks, five strikeouts and a wild pitch. In his previous start against the Philadelphia Phillies, Peterson gave up five runs in four innings.

In his first 14 starts, Peterson (5-4) allowed three earned runs or less each time. His ERA has jumped from 2.60 to 3.30 in his last two starts.

Soto got New York (48-35) on the board in the fourth with his 20th homer, a 416-foot solo shot to center, his 11th in June. He entered Friday with a .325/.486/.738 slash line for the month, the 1.224 OPS was the best in MLB in June.

Mitch Keller (2-10) pitched 5 1/3 innings of one-run ball, struck out four and lowered his ERA to 3.90. He was pulled with two on and one out in the sixth with a 5-1 lead. Isaac Mattson entered and got Jeff McNeil to line out to left and struck out Mark Vientos.

Vientos (0-for-4, two strikeouts) made his return to the lineup for the first time since suffering a right hamstring strain while running to first in Los Angeles on June 2.

Rookie Blade Tidwell, who was brought up from Triple-A Syracuse Friday, served up a three-run homer to Bryan Reynolds in the sixth that put the game out of reach. In three appearances, Tidwell has given up 12 earned runs in 10 2/3 innings pitched (10.13 ERA).

Stat of the Game

Peterson has surrendered five earned runs in back-to-back starts. Before these last two starts, he hadn’t given up five earned runs in a start since May 15, 2023.

Player of the Game

Soto went 1-for-2 with the homer and his MLB-leading 68th walk. He has led the majors in walks three times in his first seven years in the league. Honorable mention to Brett Baty, who went 2-for-4 with two doubles and is 8-for-18 in his last five games.

On Deck

Paul Blackburn (0-2, 6.62 ERA) will try to get back on track. His only win with New York was in his first start after being acquired at the 2024 trade deadline from the Athletics. Pittsburgh lefty Bailey Falter (6-3, 3.59 ERA) is 1-3 with a 3.33 ERA in seven career appearances (six starts) vs. the Mets. It’s a 4:05 p.m. ET start on SNY.

The post Peterson Pelted in Poor Performance in Pittsburgh appeared first on Metsmerized Online.