The Mets’ once proud “Bench Mob” can simply be called “Mob” given all the injuries that have thrust backups into starting roles. Count Jose Peraza among those who have embraced the opportunity.
Peraza, a veteran infielder, accounted for most of the Mets’ scoring Thursday afternoon, over two games at Citi Field.
After blasting a homer that helped the Mets beat the Rockies 1-0 in Game 1, he drove in two runs in the second game. The Mets completed the doubleheader sweep with a 4-2 victory.
With pitching and defense at the forefront, manager Luis Rojas’ banged up crew is persevering and will take a three-game winning streak into a weekend series against the Braves.
Peraza delivered an RBI single in the fourth inning of Game 2 that gave the Mets their second run before drawing a bases-loaded walk as part of a two-run sixth. The doubleheader sweep was the Mets’ second this season (they took two from the Phillies on April 13).
Joey Lucchesi had control issues in Game 2 and was removed after allowing one run on two hits and three walks over 3 2/3 innings. Drew Smith, Aaron Loup, Jeurys Familia, Robert Gsellman and Jacob Barnes combined to pitch the final 3 1/3 innings.
In Game 1, Marcus Stroman fired six scoreless innings in which he allowed three hits and two walks with three strikeouts in carrying the Mets to a second straight victory. Edwin Diaz worked a perfect seventh to earn his ninth save.
Stroman (4-4, 2.47 ERA) has been a savior to a rotation hit by injuries. The right-hander has allowed two earned runs or fewer in nine of his 11 starts this season, stabilizing a staff that just returned Jacob deGrom from an injured list stint and hopes to soon regain Taijuan Walker. Also, Carlos Carrasco and Noah Syndergaard are on the IL, but not close to returning. On Thursday, Rojas said Syndergaard has elbow swelling and won’t throw for at least six weeks as he rehabs from Tommy John surgery.
“Since we have a lot of guys on the IL I just feel it puts a little bit more pressure on the guys who are in the rotation to kind of carry their load while those guys are out,” Stroman said. “I know once when we get them back we’ll roll. We have a ton of adversity right now, we’re playing through a ton of adversity and we’re putting it together, putting wins together.”
Peraza homered leading off the third to give the Mets their only run. The blast was Peraza’s second of the season. He has emerged as the everyday second baseman over the last two weeks in Jeff McNeil’s absence.
Stroman allowed a single and stolen base to Ryan McMahon in the first inning and then didn’t surrender another hit until the fifth, when German Marquez delivered a two-out single.
“We have some absences of our starting rotation right now and this guy has given us length,” Rojas said. “What he’s done is he’s helped our bullpen stay fresh.”
Francisco Lindor’s glove helped prevent a possible Rockies rally in the second. After Brendan Rodgers walked, Garrett Hampson hit a sharp grounder that Lindor snagged diving toward the bag and flipped with his glove to Peraza covering second.
