David Peterson set the tone for the Mets on Wednesday night, leading an impressive charge that Pete Alonso described as “absolutely electric.”
Peterson, who holds the lowest ERA (3.04) in the Mets rotation, kept the Athletics offense ice cold as the Mets bats broke out in a dominant 9-1 win at Citi Field — snapping a four-game losing skid.
Across 6 ¹/₃ innings, the lefty allowed three hits, one unearned run, and recorded four walks and four strikeouts to improve his record to 7-1 on the season.
The Mets are 10-3 with Peterson on the mound and it was the second time he pitched into the seventh inning this season.
“I thought it was really good. The sinker, the four-seam, and the changeup, not so much a slider but made pitches when needed,” manager Carlos Mendoza said after the win. “Obviously, a few walks in there, but it was good to see him reach 96 [mph]. That’s a good sign.”
Peterson’s first two innings were three up and three down, including two strikeouts and one walk, and he later got the Mets out of a jam in the fourth inning.
With the two runners on and no outs, Peterson forced a fly out from Shea Langeliers before Daz Cameron grounded out to first base.
Peterson ended the inning by striking out Zack Gelof on three pitches, stranding Oakland’s Miguel Andujar and JJ Bleday on second and third base.
“I think your back is against the wall and you simplify it as much as you can and you go pitch to pitch,” Peterson said of his success in crucial situations. “One pitch at a time, and focus on executing that pitch and then you get to the next one. Just try to not only slow it down, but really focus on one pitch at a time and not get ahead of myself.
“You’re either going to give in or fight back and get out of it. So, I’d rather fight back and get out of it. Trust my guys behind me and trust Alvy [Francisco Alvarez] and whoever is behind the plate.”
Much of his newfound success can be credited to his healthy hip, which Peterson underwent surgery for in the offseason after playing through discomfort in 2023.
“I think that’s where it starts. I think feeling healthy, feeling no pain, feeling like I can move my body the best way possible, I think has helped everything,” Peterson said.
He admitted he wanted to stay in the game, but was pulled after two batters in the seventh inning.
The Citi Field crowd stood up for the starter, clapping and cheering him to the dugout.
