Mets Beat Mariners 3-1 in Nolan McLean's Stellar Debut

 

Mets SS Francisco Lindor (Photo Credits to SNY.TV)

The New York Mets beat the Seattle Mariners 3-1 this afternoon at Citi Field to snap their three-game losing streak and improved their record to 65-58.

The Met offense was held scoreless for the first two innings until the bottom of the third after 3B Brett Baty led off with a single and SS Francisco Lindor followed with a RBI double.

The offense did not do much for the next three innings until the bottom of the seventh after Baty led off with another single and then stole second.

Lindor followed with a single of his own and then also stole second.

RF Juan Soto came up next and drove in Baty with a sacrifice fly.

LF Brandon Nimmo then singled to left field, but Lindor was thrown out at home 

1B Pete Alonso followed with a RBI double to bring in a much needed insurance run for his 100th RBI of the season.

RHP Nolan McLean made his ML debut and started out well in the top of  the first with two strikeouts.

McLean had a 1-2-3 top of the second and then worked his way out of a based loaded one jam in the top of the third. He jammed star CF Julio Rodriguez and got him to hit a comebacker back to the mound where McLean reached behind his back to grab the grounder and then threw quickly to Baty to start the 1-4-3 double play to end the inning.

McLean had a 1-2-3 top of the fourth and then had two more strikeouts in the top of the fifth.

He walked catcher Cal Raleigh to lead-off the top of the sixth and then struck out Rodriguez and was taken out.

McLean had an outstanding debut with 5 1/3 scoreless innings allowing two hits and four walks with eight strikeouts.

He showed off his arsenal of six pitches with his breaking ball that kept hitters off balanced due to the spin and velocity.

Hie fastball topped out at 97 mph and his curve topped out between 78-81 mph.

McLean also featured his "sweeper" slider which helped him pick up swings and misses.

He showed a lot of poise and his mature beyond his years at 24.

It will be fun to see how he continues to grow and develop.

LHP Gregory Soto came in next and got the last two outs in the top of the sixth.

Soto stayed in for the top of the seventh and had a 1-2-3 inning.

RHP Edwin Diaz followed in the top of the eighth and had a scoreless inning.

Diaz stayed in for the top of the ninth and gave up a one-out solo homer to 3B Eugenio Suarez, but was able to pick up the last two outs for his 24th save of the season.

The Mets next game is tomorrow night, Sunday, August 17 for the Little League Classic in Williamsport, PA on ESPN at 7:10 p.m.