The Mets just took down the Houston Astros 6-2 on Saturday in game two of their series, and honestly, Nolan McLean looked absolutely unstoppable. The right-hander continued to make his airtight case for NL Rookie of the Year, delivering another superb outing that left no doubt who was in control.
McLean Is Making Rookie of the Year Look Easy
McLean absolutely diced up the Astros at Citi Field, going a full seven innings and only letting up an unearned run. Think about that: two hits, three walks, and four strikeouts, but only one run that didn’t even count against him. That’s his tenth win on the season, pushing his ERA down to a ridiculous 3.06. This isn’t just a good outing, it’s his fourth time this season going seven deep, a feat the *rest* of New York’s pitching staff has only pulled off six times combined! His last seven-inning masterpiece was way back on June 17 against the Cincinnati Reds. And get this, it’s his fourth straight game allowing one earned run or fewer, something he’s done a stunning 14 times all year. McLean was the undisputed Game MVP, and honestly, who’s even close for NL Rookie of the Year right now?
Offense Explodes, Young Leads the Charge
While McLean was dominating, the offense was doing its thing too, with Jared Young leading the charge. He was a beast at the plate, driving in three runs as part of a fantastic 3-for-4 game. His first RBI was huge, a fly ball single in the first inning that tied the game up immediately. Then, in a monster three-run fifth inning, Young crushed a two-run triple that blew the lead wide open. He wasn’t done, either: Young singled to lead off the eighth and then came around to score on a Francisco Alvarez two-run double.
And check this out, Juan Soto was back in the lineup, coming off the IL as the designated hitter. He went 1-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored. There was a moment in the fifth inning when he fouled a ball off his shin and looked to be in pain, but Soto shook it off like a champ, stepped back into the box, and then singled home Francisco Lindor, who had doubled before him. Marcus Semien also showed up, going 2-for-4 with a run scored and a stolen base. Brett Baty chipped in with a 2-for-3 performance, including a double, while Carson Benge went 1-for-3 with a walk and a run scored, keeping his August average hot at .333.
Bullpen Closes It Out
Daniel Duarte took over for McLean in the eighth inning when it was a 4-1 game, and he had just one blemish, giving up a solo homer to Yordan Alvarez. After New York scored twice more in the eighth, Kodai Senga came in for the ninth in a non-save situation. He gave up a leadoff double to Jose Altuve, but then locked it down, retiring the next three batters in a row to finish things off.
What’s next for the squad? They’re back at it Sunday for the rubber game of this series against the Astros. First pitch is scheduled for 3:10 p.m. LHP Zac Thornton, who’s sitting at 3-4 with a 2.88 ERA, is slated to start for New York, and we’re still waiting to hear who Houston is sending to the mound. Let’s grab that series win!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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