Nolan McLean, Mets bullpen keep win streak alive with strong pitching

Judging by his final statline alone, you'd be forgiven for thinking that Nolan McLean was his typical, dominant self on the mound today in the Mets' 2-1 win over the San Diego Padres, the team's fourth straight victory. However, in the first two innings, McLean allowed five hits and two walks across the 11 batters he faced, striking none of them out. Thankfully, two tremendous back-to-back outfield assists from right fielder (and other half of the Oklahoma State 'Power Gingers') Carson Benge limited the damage to the lone earned run. "Some unlucky hits early, but overall, I felt good," said McLean postgame. "I had a hard time with my grip early on, but I found it later." "Clearly was not settled, but the competitor that he is, he didn't let the first two innings impact his next four." added Mets interim skipper Andy Green. "He was really good from then on out." McLean ended up completing six full innings and throwing 103 pitches, lowering his 2026 ERA to 3.34. From there, the Mets bullpen made quick work of a Padres team which has been scorching hot as of late, having won seven of their last eight games entering tonight. San Diego is also playing for their lives right now, clinging onto the final National League Wild Card spot with a 0.5 game lead over their divisional rivals, the Arizona Diamondbacks. Following a leadoff single by Luis Rengifo in the seventh inning, the Padres offense failed to reach base the rest of the way.  Jonathan Pintaro handled the seventh, southpaw Nate Lavender made quick work in the eighth, and Daniel Duarte shut the door in the ninth, retiring nine batters in a row in the process. Lavender earned his fourth hold in his first five appearances as a big-leaguer, having been promoted to the active roster on Aug. 4, while Duarte earned his second save of the season. Duarte's 0.89 ERA and 0.64 WHIP across 20.1 inning pitched exemplify the best form of the 29-year-old journeyman's career. "It's the 'strong side' of our bullpen which we've identified... Pintaro was great, Lavender was great, and Duarte as well," Green stated. The Mets chose not to turn to Kodai Senga tonight, who has converted all three of his save opportunities since joining the bullpen as a replacement closer for the injured Devin Williams. "As he builds up volume, it didn't make sense for tonight to be his first back to back," Green explained. "He was up for it today, we just restrained ourselves."