Nolan McLean, Offense Lead Mets to Blowout Win Over Giants

The Mets’ (4-4) offense, led by Francisco Alvarez, broke out in a big way behind a suburb start from Nolan McLean in a dominant win against the San Francisco Giants (3-5) in the second game of their four game set.

The first inning began with a bang, but did not come without concern. The Mets scored their first run after back-to-back-to-back hit by Francisco Lindor, Juan Soto, and Bo Bichette. However, on Bichette’s single, Soto felt right calf tightness and was removed from the game. A Luis Robert Jr. walk loaded the bases before Brett Baty hit into a 1-2-3 double play to make it second and third with two outs. Mark Vientos walked on an ABS challenge, and Marcus Semien singled to drive in a second run, despite Robert inexplicably being held at third. Carson Benge struck out to end the inning.

There was no scoring from the bottom of the first through the bottom of the third inning, a testament to the stellar work of McLean, who was perfect through the first four frames.

In the top of the fourth, Vientos lead off with a single, followed by Semien’s first home run as a Met at 407 feet and 101.7 mph to dead center field. After a Benge lineout, Alvarez also homered to dead center, with his traveling 415 feet and 106.1 MPH, extending the lead to 5-0.

After McLean was perfect through 16 batters, the Giants finally got to him in the bottom of the sixth. The first two batters got on via walk, followed by a ground-rule double that drove in a run. McLean was replaced by Brooks Raley who retired the next two batters, but a second run scored on an Alvarez passed ball making it 5-2. McLean’s final line was 5 1/3 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, and a win.

In the top of the seventh inning, Alvarez led off the inning with a towering 401-foot, 107 mph home run, his second of the night. After the home run, Lindor drew his 10th walk of the season, second in MLB behind Mike Trout (11). Bichette followed with his third hit of the night, this time a double into the right field gap, to make it second and third with one out. Robert and Vientos both added RBI singles to extend the Mets’ lead to 8-2, before Semien flew out to end the inning.

Huascar Brazobán replaced Raley in the bottom of the seventh. In the inning, he allowed a two-out hit, but did not allow a run, while striking out a batter.

Benge drew a walk to begin the top of the eight inning, and after an Alvarez fly-out, stole second base. Lindor followed with his second hit of the night to make it first and third with one out. However, the Mets failed to score and the lead remained 8-2.

Richard Lovelady received Brazobán in the bottom of the inning. After having a couple of days off after a grueling workload to begin the season, Lovelady had a shaky inning where he allowed two hits, a walk, and a run, but maintained the lead at 8-3 Mets.

Robert began the top of the ninth with a walk and Brett Baty immediately doubled to left to extend the Mets’ lead back to six runs. Benge hit into a fielders choice with runners at first and third, following a Vientos strikeout and Semien’s third hit of the game to extend the lead to 10-3.

Luis García entered in the bottom of the ninth to get an inning of work under his belt. He was effective, setting the Giants down without allowing a run.

The Mets won 10-3 with a season-high 15 hits.

Player of the Game: Francisco Alvarez

Alvarez had a monster night at the plate, hitting two 400+ foot home runs, both of which were hit 106+ MPH. The righty slugger is showing signs of the power from his rookie season, when he hit 25 HR in 382 at bats. Although he needs to focus more defensively, his raw power on offense when he is mechanically sound is special.

On Deck

The Mets will resume action on Saturday at 9:05 PM EST in the third game of the four game set with the Giants. Clay Holmes will take the mound for his second start of the season, looking to build off of a solid first appearance against Landen Roupp. The game will stream live on SNY and MLB.com, radio on WCBS 880 and the Audacy app.

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