The New York Mets staged a late comeback to defeat the Arizona Diamondbacks 3-1 in extra innings Friday night at Chase Field. After struggling offensively for most of the game, the Mets broke through in the 10th inning to claim the series opener.
Nolan McLean delivered a solid bounce-back performance after his shortest career outing. The right-hander allowed only a solo home run leading off the second inning, plus a walk and two other hits over six innings. He struck out six batters, including two in a strong final frame.
However, the Mets’ offense once again struggled against Diamondbacks starter Ryne Nelson. Mark Vientos provided the only run with a solo homer in the second inning. Following a leadoff single in the third, Nelson retired the next 14 Mets he faced before Carson Benge drew a two-out walk in the seventh, ending Nelson’s night.
Vientos’ home run, which left the bat at 104 mph and traveled 401 feet, marked his fifth of the season. The blast continued a strong stretch for the infielder after a rough spring training and slow start. He now has seven RBIs since the start of May.
Catcher Luis Torrens had a scare in the seventh inning when he took a 97.1 mph foul ball off the bottom of his mask. After being checked by the Mets’ trainer, Torrens remained in the game visibly shaken but able to continue.
In the bottom of the eighth, Luke Weaver retired the first two batters he faced but then loaded the bases with two walks and a hit. He escaped the jam by getting Geraldo Perdomo to ground out to first, keeping the game tied.
Brooks Raley gave up a two-out pinch-hit single to Diamondbacks top prospect Ryan Waldschmidt in his first career at-bat, but Marcus Semien made a diving stop followed by Vientos’ scoop at first to end a scoreless eighth.
Devin Williams pitched a quick, scoreless ninth inning. The Mets then wasted no time with a ghost runner in the 10th. Vientos laced a first-pitch double to drive in the go-ahead run, and Carson Benge followed with a run-scoring ground-rule double. New York had a first-and-third opportunity with no outs but couldn’t add more. Tobias Myers came on to secure his first career save, needing just 10 pitches.
The Mets improved to 5-2 through seven games of their nine-game road trip. Vientos accounted for the majority of New York’s offense. The series continues Saturday at 7:15 p.m., with Clay Holmes facing Merrill Kelly.
