In his first three games in the Major Leagues, Nolan McLean has achieved something that no Mets legend, such as Tom Seaver, Dwight Gooden, or Jacob deGrom, could accomplish. McLean became the first Mets pitcher to win his first three starts in MLB, throwing eight spectacular innings on Wednesday night in the 6-0 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies, completing a three-game sweep.
Facing the Phillies, who entered Wednesday with the second-best batting average in the majors, the 24-year-old right-hander allowed four hits, walked no one, and struck out six batters. He threw 95 pitches, only 55 in the first six innings.He’s a phenomenon, man. It’s a lot of fun to be a part of what he does day in and day out.
Mark Vientos, Mets infielder
McLean, showcasing an arsenal including a sharp breaking curveball, a sweeper, and a fastball reaching 90 mph, retired 15 consecutive batters after Alec Bohm’s single in the second inning and faced the minimum of batters until the seventh.From top to bottom, they’re loaded with hitters. I definitely knew I had to bring something good tonight.
Nolan McLean
The Phillies mounted their only threat in the eighth inning, when Bohm and Max Kepler started the inning with singles. McLean preserved the shutout by retiring Nick Castellanos and Bryson Stott with medium-depth fly balls and inducing Harrison Bader to hit a ground ball to the mound.All I can say is wow. It’s all about the kid, not just what we’re seeing on the mound, but the way he carries himself. He has electric stuff, but he has command. He knows what he’s doing on the mound. He knows how to manipulate the ball. He knows what hitters are trying to do. He’s not afraid to use all his pitches.
Carlos Mendoza, Mets manager
McLean slammed his right fist into his glove as the crowd of 41,893 at Citi Field roared.I felt like he had good stuff. He moves the ball really well and was filling up the zone. I felt like he made some pitches when he needed to make some pitches.
Kyle Schwarber, Phillies hitter
New York has had an 8-3 record since McLean was called up from the minors, remaining four games behind the Phillies, leaders of the National League East. McLean, who pitched seven innings in a 12-7 victory in Atlanta last Friday, and All-Star left-hander David Peterson are the only Mets starters to last at least seven innings since June 2.Don’t shy away from the big moments. Three openings: they have been big moments and good teams and he has done his part.
Mark Vientos
McLean lowered his ERA to 0.89, also the lowest in team history for a rookie in his first three starts. Seaver, a 300-game winner and Hall of Famer, held the previous mark with an ERA of 1.19 in his first three starts in 1967. McLean’s stellar numbers also make him the first pitcher in Mets history with an ERA under 1.00 and more than 20 strikeouts in his first three starts (0.89 ERA, 21 strikeouts), according to ESPN Research. In addition, his 21 strikeouts are the third-most in Mets history in a pitcher’s first three starts, behind only Matt Harvey and Nolan Ryan.We’ve been losing that kind of performance for almost the entire year.
Carlos Mendoza
I’ve always believed in my stuff. I’m a confident guy. Obviously, the hitters here are the best in the world and I know that. But I also know I have good stuff. And if I go out and execute, I can get a lot of players out too.
Nolan McLean
Rehabilitation Update
Mets catcher Francisco Álvarez, on the injured list with a sprain of the ulnar collateral ligament in his right thumb, exited his first rehab game with Triple-A Syracuse after being hit by a pitch on his left pinky finger. Álvarez went 1-2 with a double before leaving the game.Jose Siri (broken left leg) and Jesse Winker (back) also made their rehab debuts for Class A St. Lucie. Siri, who hasn’t played for the Mets since April 12, drew a walk and was hit by a pitch. Winker, on the injured list since July 11, went 0-for-2.They are reviewing it right now.
Carlos Mendoza
