When every win is essential for a team barely hanging onto first place with its best hitters on the injured list, the Mets needed to start their fourth doubleheader of the year with a victory.
Marcus Stroman provided six shutout innings and Jose Peraza produced the power as the Mets beat the Rockies, 1-0, in Game 1 on Thursday afternoon at Citi Field.
“Since we have a lot of guys on the IL, I feel like it puts a little bit more pressure on guys who are in the rotation to carry their load while those guys are out,” Stroman said. “I know once we get them back, we’ll roll. We have a ton of adversity right now and we’re putting wins together.”
Edwin Diaz recorded his ninth save in as many opportunities to extend his perfect streak this season. He has not given up a run across all nine save situations.
The Mets (23-20) needed length from Stroman to preserve an already taxed bullpen for Game 2 behind Joey Lucchesi, who can be unpredictable in his outings. Stroman was happy to oblige as he pitched six or more innings for the seventh time this season.
“We have some absences in our starting rotation and Stroman has given us length,” Mets manager Luis Rojas said. “What he’s done repeatedly is help our bullpen stay fresh.”
The same day the Mets learned Noah Syndergaard is shut down from throwing for the next six weeks, Stroman picked up the ball and reminded fans what the rotation can look like without Thor. Ten of Stroman’s 15 outs were recorded via ground balls as the pitcher continued to use his best asset on the mound. He recorded three strikeouts and surrendered just three hits on 90 pitches, lowering his ERA to 2.47 in the process.
Peraza, who took over as the Mets’ starting second baseman after Jeff McNeil strained his hamstring earlier this month, has so far excelled in his new opportunity. His second home run of the year, a solo shot that traveled 370 feet to left field, was the only run the Mets needed to beat the Rockies.
“We just have to keep this momentum up and keep this camaraderie that we have,” Stroman said. “I think we kind of feed off each other.”
