Eduardo Rodriguez was on the verge of baseball history Sunday, coming within two outs of his first career complete game as the Arizona Diamondbacks defeated the hapless New York Mets 5-1 at Chase Field.
Rodriguez (4-0) was dominant from the start, carrying a no-hitter into the sixth inning before settling for 8⅓ stellar frames. The left-hander allowed just four hits, struck out four, and walked three, earning a well-deserved standing ovation from the Phoenix crowd as he exited after Mark Vientos' bloop single broke up his bid for the shutout.
The performance continues a remarkable start to Rodriguez's third season in Arizona. After tossing seven scoreless innings against the Padres in his previous outing, the veteran has been nothing short of sensational, lowering his ERA to a minuscule mark while improving to 4-0.
For the Mets, this series finale was a bitter end to what had been a promising road trip. New York opened their nine-game journey 5-2 but closed it with a thud, managing just four hits Sunday—and only 12 total in the three-game set. The Mets fell to 15-25, with defensive woes compounding their offensive struggles. Third baseman Andy Ibáñez committed two throwing errors, the second of which set up Ketel Marte's two-run triple in the sixth that put the game out of reach at 5-1.
The struggles extended to the heart of New York's order. Juan Soto went 0-for-3, finishing the road trip 4-for-32 with just two RBIs. Along with Bo Bichette, the duo combined to go 0-for-20 in the series—a stunning drought for two of baseball's premier hitters.
Meanwhile, Diamondbacks rookie Ryan Waldschmidt continued his memorable debut week. After collecting a pinch-hit single in his first big league at-bat Friday and recording eight putouts in center field Saturday (a franchise record for a first start), Waldschmidt delivered at the plate Sunday. He laced a double into the gap off Tobias Myers in the second inning after Mets opener Huascar Brazobán (2-1) walked the first two batters, then added a bloop RBI single in the sixth—giving him his first three major league RBIs.
Rodriguez, who had never pitched into the ninth inning in his big league career, was efficient throughout. He didn't allow a baserunner until walking Soto to open the fourth and surrendered his first hit on Carson Benge's bloop single with one out in the sixth. Luis Torrens followed with a run-scoring double just inside the right-field line, but Rodriguez battled through to keep Arizona in control.
Looking ahead, the Diamondbacks open a three-game series at Texas on Monday with right-hander Michael Soroka (4-2, 4.14 ERA) on the mound. The Mets, searching for answers, will send Freddy Peralta (2-3, 3.12 ERA) to the hill Tuesday as they open a three-game set against Detroit.