PHILADELPHIA — If Tylor Megill’s first terrific begin of the season was only a trial run in opposition to a rebuilding Nationals crew, then his second outing of the yr in opposition to a loaded Phillies lineup was an enormous take a look at. Megill, once more unflappable, handed with flying colours.
The younger right-hander picked up the place he left off on Opening Day, handing over one other scoreless begin within the Mets’ 2-0 win over the Phillies on Tuesday at Citizens Bank Park. Edwin Diaz shut the door within the ninth, placing out Kyle Schwarber, Bryce Harper and Rhys Hoskins, and picked up his first save of the season. Diaz pounded the strike zone with sliders, getting whiffs on eight of the 15 he threw.
“It’s a little bit tough, but that’s my job,” stated Diaz on pitching after the previous few emotional days following his grandfather’s passing. “When I got here into the sport, I simply let all the things away. Just centered on the sport.
The Mets (4-2) snapped a two-game dropping streak and can attempt to win the collection in Wednesday’s finale with Max Scherzer going toe-to-toe in opposition to Aaron Nola.
Megill allowed simply three hits and recorded 5 strikeouts, whereas strolling none, throughout 5.1 innings and 76 pitches. The 26-year-old leads all main league pitchers with 10.1 scoreless innings. Mets supervisor Buck Showalter is making it a precedence to restrict pitch counts for Megill and different starters at first of the season. Megill stated he understands that call, however is wanting ahead to going deeper into his begins.
“Being able to just get the ball rolling and start the tempo, and get us going on a roll,” stated Megill on offering a win for the crew after a few robust losses. “Lots of confidence for sure. All my stuff is working really well right now.”
Brandon Nimmo homered off his former teammate, Phillies right-hander Zack Wheeler, within the fifth to place the Mets on the board. Starling Marte’s first stolen base of the season within the eighth led to key insurance coverage, as Francisco Lindor drove him in on an RBI single for a two-run lead. The Mets offense managed simply three hits on the hitter-friendly Philly park.
Drew Smith was the bullpen hero on Tuesday after he took the ball from Chasen Shreve within the seventh in a one-run recreation. He struck out Hoskins and Didi Gregorius to finish the body, then Showalter requested him to pitch a second inning. Smith responded by retiring the aspect within the eighth, establishing Diaz’s save alternative. Tuesday was Smith’s third aid look in six video games. He stated it’s clear Showalter is inserting a number of belief in him to get the job finished, and that’s elevated his confidence.
Smith stated he tried to get a fastball as much as Gregorius, realizing that the Phillies shortstop would chase it if he situated it effectively. Smith’s 97 mph heater that acquired Gregorius to swing and miss was a few ticks larger than his profession common. Megill, too, is throwing more durable than ever this season. For his second consecutive begin, Megill’s fastball clocked in at 99 mph on Tuesday.
“I’m trying to get on the Megill program,” Smith joked. “Redbull and two Advil, that’s what he told me. I tried it, I got an extra tick. We’re going to try it again next time.”
The final time Megill allowed a run to attain was on Sept. 24, 2021, the penultimate begin of his rookie season. Megill additionally saved opposing groups off the board in spring coaching final month, recording 6.2 scoreless innings and the bottom ERA (0.00) amongst all Mets pitchers to wrap up Grapefruit League video games.
Not dangerous for a pitcher who wasn’t even anticipated to interrupt camp with the crew.
Megill grew to become the Amazin’s Opening Day starter after Jacob deGrom realized he’d be shut down from throwing for 4 weeks with a proper scapula damage. With Scherzer additionally battling a hamstring challenge on the time, Megill had the accountability of conserving the Mets rotation afloat. Since then, Megill is shaping as much as be a significant drawback for opposing lineups, and a boon for the Mets pitching workers.
“He’s in a really good place right now. I don’t know what else to say,” Showalter stated of Megill’s efficiency. “He was good again.”
()
Source: www.bostonherald.com