The Mets’ offense showed up for the second straight night to make David Peterson’s debut both smooth and successful as the Mets downed the Red Sox, 8-3, Tuesday night in Boston.

Peterson came out throwing 94 but soon settled into 91-92 range. His first pitch of the game missed badly and his second pitch was hammered off the monster in left field. But J.D. Davis, who had quite an eventful night, threw out the runner at second base, which allowed Peterson a chance to find a groove.

Davis started the night’s first rally with an opposite field single to beat the shift. He came around to score on an RBI double by Robinson Cano. After Brandon Nimmo worked a walk, Amed Rosario dunked a two-run single to stake Peterson to a 3-0 lead.

But in the bottom of the third, Davis did not convert a catchable ball into an out, resulting in a double for old friend Kevin Plawecki. After a walk, a ball was hit into the gap in right center that Nimmo got a glove on but was unable to haul in. But a poor baserunning play by Plawecki left the bases loaded. Peterson struck out J.D. Martinez for the first out of the inning and then another wacky play happened. Rafael Devers hit a ball hard that the umpire ruled Cano short hopped. Cano threw to Amed Rosario to get the force at second but Rosario did not throw to first to complete the double play. They ended up getting the runner who started at second base out in a rundown, but a run scored in the process. Bases loaded and no outs and only allowing one run is a good outcome. But better defense and no runs would have scored.

In the fifth inning, Davis hit a two-run homer. In the eighth inning Nimmo had an RBI double and later came around to score. This game ended up being a good example of the strengths and weaknesses both players bring to the table. They combined to score three runs and drive in two but their defensive shortcomings allowed the Red Sox to score a run. It’s not always this cut and dry but tonight their offensive strength greatly outweighed their defensive issues.

Peterson finished with 5.2 IP, 2 ER, 2 BB and 3 Ks and picked up the win. The Mets used four relievers to finish the game, with three of them providing scoreless outings, including a scoreless frame from Dellin Betances in the eighth. Hunter Strickland gave up a run in the ninth. With Tyler Bashlor removed from the roster to make room for Peterson, Strickland is the reliever in most jeopardy of being cut when rosters get trimmed to 28.

9 comments on “Mets 8, Red Sox 3 (7/28/20)

  • Metsense

    Gut Reaction: Impressed that Peterson was poised, mature and efficient in his first game. He stepped up for the Stroman injury.
    Smith, Wilson and Betances again pitched well to solidify the bullpen..
    Rojas has been managing the lineup and the defensive substitutions well.
    Peterson and Rojas have made a good first impression.

  • Eraff

    I’m very Optimistic about Peterson’s start. First and Foremost, he was unafraid to throw his pitches to a solid group of MLB Hitters in his debut. He ran into some good fortune when he was “Monstered” in the First inning…Davis made a Nice play. Peterson just continued Pitching, aggressively and decisively—that’s a big deal.

  • NYM6986

    Nice to see the boys above .500. Petersen impressed and what a great time for him to step up. Sloppy D will be with us all year. Is age catching up with Ces again after his opening day HR and didn’t Rosario look awful at some plate appearances. The big question is how many positive tests before they shut this season down? Fingers crossed.

  • Chris F

    What a nice start for Peterson!

    How many games will it take before Jake gets that amount of run support? 3? 4? 5?

    Homers score runs but are boring, unless Alonso hits it.

    I hate to say it, but McNeil can’t play 3B at MLB level. (Just had to mention it after chatter!). The throw too much. I’d get Gimenez to play 3B and put McNeil in OF and 2B.

    • TexasGusCC

      Why not just put McNeil in LF and Davis at the hot corner? Supposedly it’s Davis’ better position…

  • Joe Vasile

    Really liked what I saw from Peterson last night. Had good poise against a strong lineup and mixed his pitches well. Going to have to temper expectations, but if he can be better than Rick Porcello I’m happy with that.

    Nice that the Boston pitching staff was exactly the shot in the arm that the Mets offense needed. Hopefully they keep it up heading back home.

  • David Klein

    JD helping Peterson out by throwing Peraza out was huge and Peterson showed plenty of poise after the ump cost him a strike out against Martinez on a 2-2 count and he came back to still strike out JD was impressive. David getting out of the bases loaded no outs jam was damn impressive too as he threw some nasty sliders and sinkers. Peterson pitched against type by getting a bunch of fly outs instead of grounders but he got a couple big grounders in big spots. Peterson did a nice job mixing up his pitches and worked both sides of the plate.

    Big game from Cano driving some pitches and even drawing a walk hopefully he’ll have a dead car bounce this year. Rosario had a big hit early n the game but his last four at bats were dreadful as he swung at 12 of the 13 pitches he saw most way out of the strike zone. Rosario is improving but him batting lead off is freaking moronic.

    Another quietly solid night for Nimmo drawing a walk ahead of Rosario’s key hit and also a big double adding an insurance run please lead him off against everyone I don’t have much more hair to pull out.

    JD had a big game with his homer hitting the pesky pole and his excellent throw he’s a very bad OFer but he sure can throw.

    The Mets offense looked much better as they drew four walks and chased a little less—nice to see McNeil drive that double but man has his defense been bad though the last non out on his throw was on Alonso— and Pete who besides for that walk had another bad game I’d give him a night off tomorrow.

    Drew Smith looked great getting a big out and his stuff looked great hopefully he’ll still be here when Gsellman, Brach and Hughes return and hopefully he gets shots in high leverage spots more and more.

    Brodie has done very little right but the Justin Wilson has been great as his stuff is playing up and his cutter is filthy I’d love to see him back in 2021 and beyond.

    I said on Sunday if the Mets offense didn’t hit Boston’s terrible pitching I’d be worried well worried no more hopefully they can beat on Evoldi and Perez the next few nights and dive deGrom some support for once

  • HOF19

    My family call me “Me pessimism ” …….But I gotta say ….Right now (after 1 start ) Matz’s ERA is 1.50……We got good starts out of Wacha and Peterson …..And we have Jacob .Dare I believe that out starting staff just might not be in as bad situation as I thought ?????

  • JimO

    Yep – last night was good for the team. Most everything broke their way.

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