Have a day, Jose. Way to throw, Stro and Joe!
The Mets did something they’d never done before on Thursday – sweep a doubleheader at home on the same day the Yankees also had a doubleheader in the Bronx – defeating the Rockies 1-0 and 4-2 thanks in large part to two P’s: Peraza and pitching.
In Game 1, Marcus Stroman tossed six shutout innings, allowing just three hits and two walks and fanning three, dropping his ERA to 2.47 – which is only THIRD in the Mets’ rotation behind Jacob deGrom’s 0.80 and Taijuan Walker’s 2.05.
“We have some absences of our starting rotation right now and this guy has given us length,” manager Luis Rojas said of Stroman. “What he’s done is he’s helped our bullpen stay fresh.”
“Since we have a lot of guys on the IL I just feel it puts a little bit more pressure on the guys who are in the rotation to kind of carry their load while those guys are out,” Stroman added. “I know once when we get them back we’ll roll. We have a ton of adversity right now, we’re playing through a ton of adversity and we’re putting it together, putting wins together. Obviously, we have to kind of carry the load until those guys get back, but I think we’re up to the task.”
Rockies starter German Marquez was almost as good, also allowing just three hits in throwing a 62-pitch complete game – but the Mets’ second knock of the game was a solo shot from Jose Peraza in the third, and that was enough for Stroman and Edwin Diaz to lock down Game 1.
“I was just being aggressive; I was sitting fastball and they threw me a slider, so I just had to react,” Peraza said of his home run, on which he swung at the first pitch.
Come Game 2, Joey Lucchesi labored at times in his 3 2/3 innings, but he retired nine in a row after two straight walks to open the game, and ended up giving up only one run that scored after he was removed from the game in the fourth.
“Just getting into rhythm, getting in my tempo and getting on the mound and thinking hit the glove,” Lucchesi said of his smoother finish.
“I wish I didn’t walk as many as I did today, but I switched up my delivery a bit today and was doing new things, and I’m liking what I’m seeing so far. I’m working my ass off every day to do everything I can to help this team win.
The Mets’ bullpen picked up the slack – nd all told, the Mets got seven innings of two-run ball from their six hurlers. That was plenty, though, as once again, it was Peraza who came through offensively, rapping an RBI single in the fourth that made it 2-1 at the time, and drawing a bases-loaded walk to drive in what was ultimately the winning run in the sixth.
“I didn’t think they would throw me another slider there (in the RBI single at-bat), but I made the adjustment and stayed aggressive,” Peraza said.
The Mets’ two starters combined for 9 2/3 innings of one-run ball, and with 3 1/3 innings of one-run ball from six relievers on the day, the Mets were able to sweep a twin bill despite a pair of starting lineups that included just three nominal starters and a handful of players who were either in the minor leagues or not even in the organization on Opening Day.
“The key has been the bullpen, they’ve been coming into tough situations and doing big things,” Rojas said. “They’ve been responding well when we come into games like this. And with our offense, we’re unpredictable because of the talent we have right now, and it’s a different team offensively, but we know our identity, and that’s why we’re scoring enough runs to back up our pitching.”
Peraza was one of those who was at the Alternate Site to start, but he’s making the most of his chance with Jeff McNeil, Luis Guillorme, and J.D. Davis all out.
“You just have to stay prepared, and that’s what I’ve been doing. I have this opportunity and I’m going to try to take advantage of it and help us win ballgames,” Peraza said.
"Everyone is thinking positive and looking for an opportunity when they’re going to come through for the team," Rojas said. "The guys don’t put their head down or feel sorry about themselves. The guys are in let’s-go mode, let’s do what we have to do. Peraza did that today. He’s been great, and for him to contribute on both sides the way he has, it’s incredible.”
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