When in doubt, call to the bullpen.
The Mets aren’t detonating explosions with their bats and their starting pitching through nine games has been respectable. The bullpen looks otherworldly.
On Sunday it took 13 outs from that unit without allowing a run to keep the Mets’ sweep dreams buoyant. Mission accomplished in a 2-1 victory over the Blue Jays at Citi Field for the Mets’ fourth straight victory.
The Blue Jays were held scoreless against Max Kranick, Reed Garrett, A.J. Minter and Edwin Diaz combined over 4 1/3 innings as Mets relievers lowered their collective ERA to a major-league best 1.29 this season.
The Mets managed only 10 runs in sweeping the three games. They scrapped for two runs in Sunday’s third inning and then relied on their power arms.
Pete Alonso, who blasted three homers for the week, delivered an RBI single in the third that produced the game’s first run. Brandon Nimmo’s ensuing sacrifice fly gave the Mets a 2-0 lead. Hayden Senger and Juan Soto each walked in the inning to begin the rally.
David Peterson rolled into the fifth and recorded two outs following Tyler Heineman’s leadoff double but never escaped the inning. Peterson was in discomfort after delivering a pitch to walk Vladimir Guerrero Jr. but remained in the game following a visit from manager Carlos Mendoza and the trainer.
Peterson walked Anthony Santander to load the bases and drilled Andres Gimenez with the next pitch to pull the Blue Jays within 2-1. Kranick replaced Peterson and struck out Alejandro Kirk to leave the bases loaded.
Over 4 2/3 innings, Peterson allowed one earned run on three hits and five walks with a hit batsman and three strikeouts. The lefty threw 91 pitches.
The Mets loaded the bases in the sixth but failed to extend the lead. Jesse Winker struck out with runners on first and second and after Mark Vientos walked, Brett Baty struck out and Jose Siri was retired. Alonso and Nimmo had singled in succession to begin the threat.
Diaz drilled two batters in the ninth inning, but escaped with his second save in as many chances this season.
