Merrill Kelly rediscovered his form in a big way on Saturday night, delivering seven sharp innings to lead the Arizona Diamondbacks to a much-needed 2-1 victory over the New York Mets. After three consecutive rough outings where he surrendered 19 earned runs over just 13 2/3 innings, the right-hander looked like a completely different pitcher on the mound.
"I just needed to get back to basics," Kelly seemed to say with his performance, allowing only one run on three hits while striking out six and walking three. The win improves Kelly's record to 2-3 and provides a huge boost for a Diamondbacks team that had lost eight of their last 10 games entering Saturday night.
Paul Sewald slammed the door in the ninth inning, working a perfect frame to earn his eighth save in as many opportunities this season. For Sewald, it's business as usual as he continues to be one of the most reliable closers in the National League.
The game's decisive moment came in the third inning when Ildemaro Vargas lined a two-run single to left field, giving Arizona all the offense they would need. The Diamondbacks loaded the bases against Mets starter Clay Holmes, and Vargas delivered the clutch hit that proved to be the difference.
Holmes (4-3) was otherwise outstanding, allowing just two runs on five hits over 5 2/3 innings while striking out six. The right-hander has now allowed two earned runs or fewer in all eight starts this season, a remarkable stretch of consistency. Unfortunately for Holmes, the Mets' offense managed just three hits on the night, one night after they needed 10 innings to scratch out a 3-1 win over these same Diamondbacks.
Brett Baty put New York on the board first with a run-scoring single in the second inning, but that was all the damage the Mets could manage against Kelly. The Arizona starter showed his resilience in the fifth, stranding two runners after Tyrone Taylor's two-out double.
This victory also marked a positive trend for Arizona's starting rotation, which has now pitched at least six innings in five straight games for the first time since last September. The Diamondbacks will look to make it two in a row on Sunday when Eduardo Rodriguez (3-0, 2.50 ERA) takes the mound for the series finale against a Mets team that has yet to name a starter.