The Mets have been a feel-good story for much of the 2021 season, keeping a hold on first place despite an injured list that reached 17 players, including a load of everyday contributors.
But until Monday night, it hadn't been as much fun for David Peterson.
The 25-year-old had been struggling badly in an otherwise strong rotation, heading into Monday's outing against the Cubs with a 6.32 ERA after being tagged for four runs on eight hits in 2.2 innings during his last outing. But Peterson got in on the enjoyment on Monday, looking much more like his rookie self with six strong innings in a 5-2 win over Chicago, allowing just one hit and posting his first shutout of the season.
Peterson said it was a relief after the game to finally get back on track, and to be able to leave an outing that left little need for self-criticism.
"I think the goal is just being able to take the start as one pitch at a time," Peterson said. "I think when you simplify it down to that and really focus on each pitch and executing that pitch, the results will come. You can't control what happens once it leaves you hand."
Manager Luis Rojas took time with Peterson before Monday's start to reinforce his confidence in the pitcher that was one of the team's best starters in 2020, but had struggled badly so far this season. Rojas noticed a more frustrated Peterson, but he was able to put his previous starts behind him on Monday to help New York stretch its division lead to four games.
"It's part of the job," Peterson said. "Obviously you're going to have tough starts, you're gonna go through rough patches. Everyone who has played this game has gone through a rough patch. But I think being able to turn the page as quick as you can and put it out of your mind, once you leave the field, what's happened has happened."
Peterson will look to keep that level-headed mindset the rest of the way in 2021, especially with a Mets rotation that could use this most recent version of the sophomore southpaw while Carlos Carrasco and Noah Syndergaard try to work their way back from injury setbacks. But if Peterson can get back to his rookie form and perform like he did on Monday, Syndergaard and Carrasco's absences won't feel as glaring.
"It's about turning the page and getting onto the next one," Peterson said. "It's happened in the past, and that gives me confidence that I've done it before. To watch the other four guys in between my starts do what they do, it's even more motivation."
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