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Francisco Lindor's two home runs, clutch defense key Mets' 4-2 win over Rockies in Friday's series opener

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Francisco Lindor's two home runs, clutch defense key Mets' 4-2 win over Rockies in Friday's series opener

The Mets started their three-game series against the Colorado Rockies on the right foot with a 4-2 win in Friday’s opener at Citi Field.

Takeaways

  1. Left-handerDavid Peterson did his job as he allowed one run on five hits while striking out five and walking one in 5.2 IP. Peterson (4-2, 2.54 ERA) threw 59 strikes on 94 pitches and was one pitch away from six shutout frames, but he appeared to miss his spot on an 0-2 offering with two outs in the sixth. Ryan McMahon turned on Peterson’s 91 mph fastball over the plate’s inner half and for an RBI double, making manager Carlos Mendoza turn to right-hander Huascar Brazobán. Brazobán stranded runners on second and third base when Mickey Moniak flew out to Brandon Nimmo in left field. Peterson plunking Thairo Estrada and third baseman Mark Vientos subsequently missing Brenton Doyle grounder — both with two outs — were bad breaks that figure to leave Peterson dwelling on not getting through six full innings, but he ultimately did his job as the Mets (35-22) took care of business against the Rockies (9-48).
  2. Speaking of getting the job done, shortstop Francisco Lindor flashed his bat and glove at pivotal points in the first, third and eighth innings. Offensively, that meant three hits — and two home runs. Batting righty, Lindor set the tone with a leadoff dinger — his fifth such long ball of the season — when he sent Kyle Freeland‘s 1-2 fastball down the middle at 92 mph over the left-center wall. Two frames later, with the bases loaded and two outs, Lindor’s leaping grab of Estrada’s line drive to short saved Peterson from what would have likely been a two-run double in the gap, at least. In the eighth with the Mets clinging to a 3-2 lead, Lindor batted lefty and launched Seth Halvorsen‘s 2-2 pitch at 89 mph just over the left-center railing for the exclamation mark. After a 4-for-25 homestand in the Mets’ six games against the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago White Sox from last Friday through Wednesday, Lindor bounced back at the plate with his three-hit evening — it included a third-inning single — while upping this year’s homer total to 12.
  3. Between Lindor’s opening and closing solo shots,Juan Soto and Starling Marte gave the Mets a pair of key runs. Particularly, Soto’s RBI double with two outs in third inning off Freeland was a personal boost as the Mets’ offseason prize works through early-season struggles. Marte’s third home run of the season, a one-out solo shot off Freeland in the fourth inning, gave the Mets and Peterson some cushion. Lindor led the charge, but the right fielder and designated hitter added key run support in moments that should not go overlooked.
  4. The Mets need to take advantage of a soft run in the schedule and, despite dropping Wednesday’s finale with Chicago (18-38), did what was required to open this weekend’s series against Colorado. After taking two of the three-game set from the White Sox, the Mets must keep their foot on the gas pedal as they get the Rockies two more times before heading out to Los Angeles for a four-game series with the Dodgers (34-22).

Who’s the MVP?

Lindor, whose offense and defense were clutch from start to finish.

Highlights

What’s next

The Mets and Rockies continue their series with Saturday’s 4:10 p.m. matchup. Right-handers Kodai Senga (5-3, 1.46 ERA) and Antonio Senzatela (1-9, 6.50 ERA) are set to start.



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