Reese Kaplan -- A Rare Mets Win When Most Things Went Right

In the opening game of the Mets/Rockies series the Mets had some interesting developments.  Manager Carlos Mendoza opted to go with a reliever-first “opener” approach, using Huascar Brazoban, then Austin Warren and finally handing the ball to former starter David Peterson.  For three innings Peterson looked like a totally different pitcher, striking people out easily and keeping the scoring threat under complete control. 

Then, of course, came the 4th inning of his work which was highlighted by a Carson Benge tripping and falling incident in center field which resulted in a somewhat ugly triple for the opposition.  By the time the inning came to a merciful end two runs had crossed the plate and the game was no longer a four-run gap but merely a two-run one. 

The question many have asked is did Carlos Mendoza err by riding the hot hand given how dominant Peterson was during his first three innings or should he have yanked him and let him have a perfect memory to inspire him for his next game?  You could make cases either way and the latter one is very easy to advocate given 20-20 hindsight.  As it is now Peterson’s ERA jumped to 6.23 given his 8.00 ERA for this four inning appearance.

The question that comes to mind now is which David Peterson do the Mets expect the next time around?  Yes, throughout his career he has had intervals where his performance was once even All Star worthy yet there are other times you’d be hard pressed to justify keeping him on a major league roster.  With a starting rotation already missing Sean Manaea, Kodai Senga and David Peterson now that Christian Scott is back in the majors to get the ball every 5th game, it’s an odd situation.  Behind him in the minors you have Jonah Tong who is striking people out readily but still allowing lots of runners to cross the plate.  Jack Wenninger is doing much better with a 1.61 ERA and at age 24 might be ready to make the big leap.

On the side of offense, well, the four-run inning was a most welcome sight.  During it we saw Carson Benge go long for the third time this year and his batting average is now threatening to reach the Mendoza line.  That’s a huge jump from his horrific April and despite the odd triple situation today he’s put together a number of highlight reel defensive plays during the past several games.

The second run of the game came on a pair of back-to-back doubles by catcher Francisco Alvarez inserted as DH and reserve catcher Luis Torrens blasting one to right field to plate Alvarez.  That was an unexpected and most welcome development.

The one guy who does not get much recognition for what he’s been doing lately is emergency first baseman Mark Vientos.  The day before he had a pair of homers and four RBIs then in this game against the right handed reliever he lined a single to center field to drive in two more.  All of the sudden Vientos is up to a .250 average which is not All Star worthy, but suddenly he doesn’t look like the waste of roster space many had assumed he was.

On the flip side, the club has another player approaching the Mendoza line but from the other direction.  At game’s end Brett Baty is another O-fer away from descending into the .100s.  Given the injuries to Ronny Mauricio and Francisco Lindor his leash is necessarily quite a bit longer than otherwise might be warranted, but suddenly his most vocal proponents have conspicuously gone quiet. 

Finally, let’s wave our hats and stand up to applaud a 1-2-3 ninth inning by closer Devin Williams which included a game ending strikeout.  Maybe it’s only in New York where he can’t pitch effectively, but for a stellar six-pitch appearance he looked like the guy everyone hoped he would be.  Let’s hope it’s the beginning of an positive trend.