Nolan McLean delivered a dazzling Major League debut, and Francisco Lindor stayed red-hot as the New York Mets beat the Seattle Mariners 3-1 on Saturday at Citi Field, picking up just their third victory in their last 17 games.
McLean, ranked among baseball’s top prospects, threw 5.1 scoreless innings, striking out eight while allowing just two hits and four walks. The 22-year-old right-hander flashed a six-pitch mix, topping out at 97 mph with his fastball and fooling hitters with a sharp curveball in the upper 70s. His signature moment came in the third inning, when he snared a comebacker behind his back with the bases loaded and started a 1-4-3 double play to escape trouble. Manager Carlos Mendoza lifted him in the sixth after 91 pitches, drawing boos from the crowd, but Gregory Soto preserved the shutout.
Lindor opened the scoring in the third with an RBI double and later added a single, extending his torrid stretch to 11-for-20 over his last five games. The Mets added two more in the seventh: Juan Soto lifted a sacrifice fly, and Pete Alonso laced an RBI double after Brandon Nimmo’s single.
Edwin DÃaz recorded a six-out save despite allowing a solo home run to Eugenio Suárez in the ninth.
Box Score | NL Wild Card Standings
The Mets, now 65-58, look to secure a series win against the Mariners on Sunday in the Little League Classic. Clay Holmes will get the start for New York, with the first pitch slated for 7:10 p.m.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].