The Mets were hoping to extend their winning streak to three games on Friday, especially with their ace Freddy Peralta on the mound against the Rockies.
Unfortunately for the Mets, their high-profile trade acquisition was good but not great and, more importantly, could not go deep into the game again as New York fell, 4-3.
Peralta, who suffered his third consecutive loss, allowed just two runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out eight batters. However, he only pitched 5.2 innings and gave way to a beleaguered Mets bullpen, which would not keep the Rockies lineup off the scoreboard.
After Friday’s loss, Peralta’s ERA is at a respectable — for this time of year — 3.90, but the right-hander’s inability to work deep into games this season may be concerning.
He’s pitched a complete six innings just once to this point and has not recorded an out in the seventh at all with the Mets. Look even further back and Peralta hasn’t recorded an out in the seventh since July 13, 2025.
“He’ll get there, he’s an ace,” manager Carlos Mendoza said of Peralta after the loss. “I’m not worried about that. I trust him and I know that he’s more than capable of going long in the game.”
So, is there a reason during his starts this season that haven’t allowed Peralta to pitch deep? The Mets skipper doesn’t believe there’s any one thing, but every start has been different.
“I thought today, stuff-wise, was good,” he said. “That swinging bunt [by Ezequial Tovar in the sixth] changes the whole thing… In general, every case has been different. I thought today, it was that one pitch the lefty [Jake McCarthy] was very aggressive. A walk here and there, trying to be too perfect…in general, he’s been pretty solid.”
That last part from Mendoza, Peralta actually agreed with.
“I think mentally, I have to allow myself to keep trusting in the process because I feel amazing. I feel very good,” Peralta said of what’s holding him back. “Everything’s been great, the work I put in every day. It just, whenever I get to the mound, I finish it, that’s it. I know a lot of those are going to come soon.
“Sometimes [wanting to go deep into games] comes to my mind, I got to finish this. I think I put pressure on myself just thinking about it.”
Peralta said that mentality has forced him to be too fine with his pitches sometimes, and that has led to walks and hits.
Friday, Peralta’s seven hits allowed were a season high, and he has now issued three walks in three of his last four starts.
“[This has] happened in the past, and then everything’s fine again and I’ve been working on it,” Peralta said. “It’s only six games into the season and I’ve been fine. The most important thing is that I’m feeling good… Everything. Pitching arsenal, body, how I feel, my arm. Everything is feeling very good.”
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