It was a night of stellar pitching and timely power in Queens, as the New York Mets edged the Arizona Diamondbacks 3-1 in 10 innings to open their three-game series. While the bats remained quiet for much of the game, third baseman Mark Vientos delivered the clutch hits the Mets needed, proving once again that great pitching and one big swing can decide a ballgame.
Nolan McLean took the mound for the Mets and turned in one of his finest outings of the season. Despite some early command issues, he settled in beautifully, allowing just one run on three hits over six innings while striking out six. The only blemish came in the second inning, when Nolan Arenado launched a solo home run to briefly put Arizona ahead. But McLean’s ability to limit damage and keep his team in the game set the stage for the bullpen to shine.
The Mets' offense struggled to solve Diamondbacks starter Ryne Nelson, but Vientos made the most of his opportunities. After Arenado’s homer erased an early lead, Vientos answered right back with a solo shot of his own in the bottom of the second, knotting the game at 1-1. From there, both teams’ pitchers took control, and the scoreboard stayed frozen through regulation as the two sides managed just seven hits combined.
The Mets’ bullpen was nothing short of dominant. Luke Weaver, Brooks Raley, and Devin Williams combined to toss four scoreless innings, keeping the Diamondbacks off balance and giving the offense a chance to break through. Williams earned the win, improving to 2-1 on the season, while Tobias Myers, just a day after a rough outing in Colorado, slammed the door in the 10th inning, striking out two batters to lock down his first save of the year.
The game finally cracked open in the top of the 10th. With ghost runner Brett Baty on second, Vientos stepped up again and ripped a double to left field, scoring Baty and putting the Mets ahead. After a pinch runner replaced Vientos, Carson Benge followed with a ground-rule double of his own, plating Vidal Brujan for an insurance run. Diamondbacks reliever Kevin Ginkel, who recorded just one out before being pulled, was tagged with the loss.
While the Mets celebrated the win, there’s no ignoring the growing concern at the plate. The lineup continues to struggle with consistency, and the experiment of hitting Juan Soto leadoff has yet to pay off—Soto is mired in a 2-for-17 slump. For now, the pitching staff is carrying the load, but if the bats can find their rhythm, this team could be dangerous. For Mets fans, it’s a win to savor—and a reminder that in baseball, a little power and a lot of pitching can go a long way.