David Peterson came into Tuesday night’s game struggling with walks and homers. The good news is that he allowed just one walk and did not serve up a gopher ball. The bad news is that he gave up eight hits and four runs without making it out of the third inning, as the Mets got stomped by the Orioles, 10-3 in Baltimore.
The Mets managed just four hits in the game, two of which were homers by Pete Alonso. The first Alonso homer game the Mets an early 2-0 lead in the first inning. And his second homer came in the ninth inning when the game had long since been decided.
The less said about the rest of the game, the better. After all of the close games, the Mets were probably due for a blowout like this. But another shaky outing by Peterson is a big problem. With all of the doubleheaders coming up, there’s not a move to be made. But in his last four games, he’s allowed 15 ER in 13.2 IP
It’s overdue……Peterson needs to be sent down to Syracuse and get his act together. As you recently pointed out Brian, what he did last year was a somewhat “smoke & mirrors” act; and besides, it was last year. The problem we have is this year…..and he’s not helping any.
I know he wasn’t good either last night, but Gsellman & Lugo both came up as starting pitchers, so I would have them at least share a game next time through the rotation. Or at least, bring up SR Foley when you send down Peterson.
I was thinking similar thoughts as Footballhead. Peterson needs to figure out what he’s doing wrong in a less pressurized environment. Foley deserves to be in New York. Lugo wants to be a starter so, as good as he is out of the pen, he ought to take Peterson’s spot in the lineup. Gsellman is a crap-shoot.
Cole Hamels and Rick Porcello are still out there as stop gaps until replacements arrive. Where is the magical Jeremy Hefner on straightening out Petersen? I fear that Lugo, who could be a starter, will need surgery on that tenuous pitching arm if he suddenly adds tons of inning to it. Better to keep him in the pen.
Every team gets blown out every now and then. Today’s another day.
I agree with Footballhead…certainly the Mets are in a bind for starters but at this point it is not serving the team or Peterson to run him out again to work things out in big league games for a team battling for the division. Yes there will be stinkers among the 162 and last night’s game certainly qualifies as only Alonso provided any offense, but Peterson now has more stinkers than decent starts, and they need innings from starters desperately. It’s time to get creative or look elsewhere.
They really have nothing to lose by giving Porcello a shot with the improved defense…but the problem is that they need help now and not in a month…But I’d bring him in anyway as insurance if nothing else…no guarantees that another starter doesn’t go down.
I won’t pound on the table or anything, but I believe Peterson’s problems are mostly in his head… very similar to Stephen Matz.
Matz compensated his lack of confidence by speeding up everything, rushing into the next pitch, trying to blitz the hitters, I guess. Never worked. Too many fat pitches over the plate…
In Peterson’s case, I see the same tendency in his footwork. Tap, tap, rush forward into his stride. S-l-o-w down, Pete. Stay back, and put the ball where you want it. When he’s good, that’s what he does. But it’s hope the guys that paid to do it coach this kid into using his good stuff to get hitters out. Slow him down.
Gut Reaction: it was a listless game. It was reminiscent of games in 2020 that was started in by pitchers not named Peterson. Normally they could demote Peterson to Syracuse but the three doubleheaders this month that might not be an option. Three games ago he pitched a 6 inning 3 runs effort. With a 2.5 lead they can afford some patience with him.