Sean Manaea was once again dominant for the Mets on Tuesday night, keeping a red-hot Diamondbacks team relatively quiet by allowing just three runs on four hits over 6.2 innings in an 8-3 victory.
The lefty did give up a pair of home runs, but the swing-and-miss stuff was once again front and center, as Manaea fanned 11 batters on the night, the third time in his last six starts that he has logged double-digit strikeouts, and the fifth time in his last nine appearances that he’s fanned at least nine.
After the game, Brandon Nimmo offered some high praise for Manaea, comparing his current stretch to what it was like watching former teammate Jacob deGrom, who, when healthy, was pitching like one of the most dominant starters in generations.
“The last guy that I've seen kind of pitch like this was probably deGrom, where you're just going through it, just swing-and-miss, swing-and-miss and go back to the dugout,” Nimmo told SNY’s Steve Gelbs on the field in Arizona.
“It’s pretty impressive to watch. I know from facing him that he’s not an easy at-bat, but I think he’s also found another gear and kicked it in.”
Manaea has been stellar for the Mets over the past six weeks, pitching to a 2.93 ERA with 89 strikeouts in 83 innings of work. In a year where New York has been without Kodai Senga, Manaea has emerged as the unquestionable ace of the staff.
“I’m so happy for him because he’s such an amazing guy and a great clubhouse guy as well,” Nimmo said. “I’m really happy for him as the person he is and figuring it out as the competitor that he is. He’s taken it to a new level, and it’s really fun to watch.”