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Freddy Peralta’s outing did not deliver the redemption he sought this time around.
The Mets pitcher found himself struggling once more on Friday night against the Rockies, ultimately suffering his third straight defeat. His difficulty in maintaining stamina over the course of the game was again apparent.
Initially, Peralta showcased a strong performance, holding the Rockies at bay for four innings without conceding a run. However, things began to unravel in the fifth inning when he allowed an RBI through a fielder’s choice, followed by a decisive go-ahead double from Jake McCarthy in the sixth, leading to the Mets’ 4-3 loss.
The right-hander was able to avoid immediate disaster despite loading the bases in the fifth. Yet, after McCarthy’s RBI, which placed runners on second and third, Peralta was taken out of the game.
He concluded his night with eight strikeouts and seven hits over 5 ²/₃ innings. Reflecting on his performance, Peralta admitted, “I’m putting pressure on myself” to successfully finish games.
“Mentally, I have to allow myself to keep trusting in the process. Because I feel amazing, man, I feel really good,” he said following the loss.
“Everything’s been great, like the work that I’ve been putting in every day. It’s just, whenever I get to the mound — just finish it. That’s it. And I know for sure that a lot of those are going to come.”
Peralta, whom the Mets acquired from Milwaukee in January, has lasted six innings just once in his six starts this season, while his current ERA (3.90) would be his worst over a full season since 2020.
Nonetheless, the Dominican pitcher said he felt good about Friday’s performance aside from not finishing the sixth, and, more importantly, has the backing of his manager.
“I mean, he did it once already, so he’ll get there,” Carlos Mendoza said of Peralta lasting six innings. “He’s an ace. Yeah, I’m not worried about that.”
Mendoza conceded that Peralta, who also walked three batters Friday, does try to be “too perfect” at times, but said he has been “pretty solid” in general.
The pitcher’s teammates also did him few favors with their lack of run support prior to their short-lived offensive burst in the eighth — when he had already been replaced by Sean Manaea.