The New York Mets are on fire recently, kicking off an intense showdown against the Rockies in Colorado. In this Major League Baseball matchup, Kōta Shōga made his debut at this ballpark, renowned as a hitter’s paradise. Facing a Rockies team that is usually strong but has been struggling lately, he showcased his impressive skills. Utilizing his signature ghost forkball, Shōga pitched six innings, striking out six batters. This not only crowned him as the National League’s ERA leader but also led the Mets to their 40th win of the season, placing them temporarily at the top of the league.
The Mets faced numerous challenges during the game, especially when Rockies’ Mickey Moniak hit a solo home run in the sixth inning, giving the home team a brief 1-0 lead. Although the Mets capitalized on some scoring opportunities, it wasn’t until the seventh inning that they rallied back, thanks to hits from Starling Marte and Juan Soto. Pete Alonso’s subsequent long hit successfully turned the tide, showcasing the team’s incredible resilience. However, the Rockies didn’t back down; new hits from Jordan Beck and Thairo Estrada brought the game back to a tie.
The competition has reached an intense stage, and while Ryne Stanek’s appearances have created several crises, the team’s double play defense has temporarily alleviated the pressure. In this context, the steady performances of Soto and Alonso have once again become crucial. Following this, Francisco Lindor’s pinch-hitting decision brought the Mets a glimmer of victory. His hit not only helped the team take the lead but also allowed Edwin Díaz to successfully secure his 14th save of the season.
In the end, the Mets triumphed over the Rockies in this game, becoming the first team in the National League to reach 40 wins this year. Scherzer’s performance was undoubtedly eye-catching; in the renowned pitcher’s graveyard, he threw six innings, allowing only one run, bringing his ERA down to 1.59. This has fans eagerly anticipating his performance for the rest of the season, making him the only non-American League starting pitcher with an ERA under 2 at the moment.
Qian He has achieved an impressive record of 29 consecutive starts with no more than 3 earned runs, tying him with Dr. K, Dwight Gooden, for the third most in team history. If he can keep up this performance, he is bound to create even greater accomplishments. In the game, he threw 109 pitches, setting a new personal single-game high since coming to the U.S., and this scorching form has fans feeling optimistic about his future.
In a post-match interview, Qian He spoke about his adjustments to the variability of his pitches. Although there were some mistakes, his overall performance was still commendable. He made extensive use of the ghost forkball during the game, successfully luring Rockies batters into swing misses, demonstrating the effectiveness of his new strategy.
Although the Mets’ offense seemed a bit lackluster in this game, as long as players like Juan Soto and Pete Alonso continue to perform consistently, along with the right decisions regarding Francisco Lindor’s appearances, the team’s offensive momentum can stabilize. To keep the energy flowing in the upcoming matches, this kind of performance needs to become the norm. Meanwhile, pitchers like Yoshinobu Yamamoto are showing the potential to contend for standout yearly achievements, and if his teammates can boost their scoring, it will be crucial for his ongoing competition.
