PITTSBURGH — The Mets have four starting pitchers on the injured list and another key rotation member in a slump.
It’s hardly an ideal formula for success.
David Peterson, who had assumed the role of rotation ace with Kodai Senga sidelined, turned in a second straight clunker Friday night, burying the Mets early in a 9-1 loss to the Pirates at PNC Park.
The Mets, who seemed back on track after winning two straight against the Braves to earn a series split (they had previously lost 10 of 11 games), didn’t offer much resistance at the plate. They finished 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position on a night when Mark Vientos returned from an IL stint. Vientos went hitless in four at-bats with two strikeouts.
Earlier in the day, Griffin Canning underwent surgery for a ruptured left Achilles that will cost him the remainder of the season. The right-hander joined Senga, Tylor Megill and Sean Manaea among Mets starting pitchers on the IL.
Peterson lasted 4 ²/₃ innings and allowed five earned runs on seven hits with three walks. It was a second straight start in which Peterson failed to complete five innings.
The left-hander surrendered four runs over four innings against the Phillies in his previous start.
“It didn’t feel like I had my best command and wasn’t able to execute some pitches,” Peterson said. “And they took advantage.”
Peterson and manager Carlos Mendoza were asked if the pitcher is dealing with a physical issue. Each indicated Peterson is healthy.
“It’s just more mechanics,” Mendoza said, noting that pitching coach Jeremy Hefner felt Peterson progressed on that front since his previous outing. “But he wasn’t able to translate it to the game today, so they will continue to work on it. But as far as health goes, he’s fine.”
Peterson walked Joey Bart with one out in the third to start a rally in which the Pirates sent nine batters to the plate and scored four runs. Ke’Bryan Hayes and Jared Triolo delivered consecutive singles to give the Pirates a 1-0 lead before Alexander Canario hit a shot to right field on which Juan Soto started inward. Soto was forced to retreat, with the ball sailing over his head for an RBI double.
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Isiah Kiner-Falefa followed with an RBI single that gave the Pirates a 3-0 lead. Tommy Pham’s RBI fielder’s choice delivered the inning’s fourth run before Peterson allowed his fifth hit of the inning, a single to Andrew McCutchen. Peterson finally recorded the third out without another run scoring.
“It’s one of those stretches, back-to-back outings, and we have got to go back and watch films and make some adjustments,” Mendoza said.
Soto homered leading off the fourth against Mitch Keller to slice the Mets’ deficit to 4-1. The blast was Soto’s 20th of the season and gave him 11 this month. Soto began the night with a 1.223 OPS in June.
Hayes smashed an RBI double in the fifth that sank the Mets into a 5-1 hole. The trouble started with Bryan Reynolds’ leadoff double.
After Peterson was removed, Blade Tidwell — who is scheduled to join the rotation next week against the Brewers — entered to get the final out in the inning. Tidwell pitched 3 ¹/₃ innings and surrendered four runs.
Reynolds blasted a three-run homer against Tidwell in the sixth that turned the game into an 8-1 runaway. Pham delivered an RBI single in the seventh that added to the Mets’ misery.
Keller frustrated the Mets by allowing one earned run on five hits with four strikeouts and one walk over 5 ¹/₃ innings. With the score lopsided in the seventh inning, Mendoza removed Soto, Francisco Lindor and Jeff McNeil to give them a rest. Brandon Nimmo remained in the game and was drilled in the wrist by a pitch in the eighth, but Mendoza indicated he isn’t injured.
Vientos, in his first game since June 2, said his timing is still off but he wouldn’t anticipate a lingering effect.
“I’m in a good spot right now,” he said. “I could start tomorrow going back to normal.”