McLean’s Strong Start Wasted as Mets’ Bats Falter, Bullpen Flounders
The Mets surrendered a late lead and dropped a game after Nolan McLean exited in the seventh. Luis Robert Jr.’s solo home run in the first provided the early advantage.
How the seventh inning unraveled
McLean had allowed no runs through six innings. He began to tire in the top of the seventh.
He opened the inning with a walk, recorded his eighth and final strikeout, and then yielded a single. Manager Carlos Mendoza turned to Luke Weaver.
Weaver gave up a game-tying double to right field. Gabriel Moreno is credited with the tying hit.
Two runners then occupied second and third. Alek Thomas hit a hard grounder to first with the infield in.
Mark Vientos handled the ball cleanly. His throw home was wild and allowed the go-ahead run to score.
Luis Torrens made an excellent pickup on that errant throw. His effort prevented at least one additional run.
A subsequent sacrifice fly pushed the Diamondbacks’ third run across. Jorge Barrosa followed with a triple that scored a fourth run.
Two runs were charged to McLean. Weaver was charged with the other two.
Relief corps and offense
The Mets’ bats falter again as the offense produced little after the first inning. They failed to rally in the late innings.
Luis Garía compounded the situation by allowing three runs in the top of the eighth. Richard Lovelady threw a scoreless ninth.
Lovelady was the only Mets pitcher who avoided being charged with a run. The bullpen’s uneven showing left a clear mark.
Key moments and plays
- Luis Robert Jr. hit a solo home run in the bottom of the first.
- Gabriel Moreno delivered the game-tying double in the seventh.
- Mark Vientos’ errant throw home produced the go-ahead run.
- Jorge Barrosa added a triple that extended the inning.
WPA leaders and team impact
| Big Mets winner | Nolan McLean (+28% WPA) |
| Big Mets loser | Luke Weaver (-51% WPA) |
| Mets pitchers (team WPA) | -28% |
| Mets hitters (team WPA) | -22% |
| Most impactful positive play | Luis Robert Jr. solo HR (+11% WPA) |
| Most impactful negative play | Gabriel Moreno game-tying double (-28% WPA) |
McLean’s strong start was wasted as the Mets’ bullpen flounders under pressure. The loss drops New York to 7-6 on the season.
The club will host the don’t-call-us-Sacramento A’s for a three-game series this weekend. Filmogaz.com will have more coverage and analysis.
