SAN FRANCISCO — David Peterson encountered more traffic than the Bay Bridge at rush hour, but was resourceful enough Saturday night to record outs when the Mets needed them.
There was continual pressure on the left-hander. And whether he needed a double play or strikeout, the result followed.
Peterson’s escape act lasted for six innings, long enough for the Mets to rally and win their sixth straight, 2-1 over the Giants at Oracle Park.
The Mets, who remained a half-game ahead of the Phillies for first place in the NL East, will shoot Sunday for a second straight series sweep. With a victory the Mets would match their longest winning streak of the season.
Peterson allowed 11 base runners over his six innings, but surrendered only one run. It was the 13th time this season Peterson lasted at least six innings. Mets starters overall have pitched at least six innings only 31 times in 105 games.
Peterson, who threw 91 pitches, lowered his ERA to 2.83 with a fourth straight start in which he lasted at least six innings and allowed one or no earned runs. All eight of the hits he allowed on this night were singles.
“It’s the same mindset in terms of attacking,” Peterson said of pitching with runners on base all night. “But I think it’s just being aware of the situation, knowing what the scenario is and what your job is with the guy at the plate.”
Officially, Edwin Díaz got the save, but Pete Alonso’s glove was just as worthy of the designation.
Alonso lunged to snag Patrick Bailey’s line drive for the final out with the tying run at second base in the ninth. It completed a second straight superb defensive game for Alonso, scooping balls from the dirt and preventing errors from the infielders.
“To be able to end the game right there is big-time,” Alonso said. “I know that our pitchers did an absolutely phenomenal job, but I am just really happy I could contribute there.”
The key Mets hit was delivered by Mark Vientos, who stroked a two-run double in the sixth to erase the team’s 1-0 deficit. Overall, the Mets went only 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position.
The Mets loaded the bases with nobody out in the fourth against Robbie Ray but didn’t score: Vientos struck out before Francisco Alvarez grounded into an inning-ending double play. Alonso singled leading off the inning and Starling Marte doubled him to third before Brett Baty’s infield roller to first base (which easily could have been ruled an error) turned into a single, with Alonso holding.
Peterson allowed consecutive singles to Willy Adames and Matt Chapman to begin the bottom of the frame and a one-out walk to Casey Schmitt loaded the bases. Jung Hoo Lee’s ensuing RBI fielder’s choice gave the Giants a 1-0 lead, but Peterson escaped without further damage.
“Just limiting that to one [run] and keeping us where we were at was huge,” Peterson said.
Two innings earlier Peterson got Matos to ground into an inning-ending double play after Wilmer Flores and Lee each singled in the inning. Peterson also received an inning-ending double play in the first: Chapman hit a line drive that Vientos snagged and threw to second, catching Rafael Devers off the base. Baty scooped Vientos’ throw from the dirt to complete the play.
In the fifth, Peterson struck out three batters — including Chapman to end the inning after Heliot Ramos’ single and a walk to Adames.
Juan Soto walked leading off the sixth and stole second — the Mets’ 26th consecutive successful attempt, the longest such streak this season in MLB — and Marte walked before Vientos delivered a two-run double that gave the Mets a 2-1 lead.
Peterson caught a break in the sixth when the slow-footed Flores was thrown out to begin the inning trying to stretch a single into a double after hitting a shot off Baty’s glove. Nimmo fielded the ball in foul territory and threw a strike to Luisangel Acuña to nail Flores.
“[Peterson] trusts the defense,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “And the situation or the moment is never too big for him.”
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