Mets pitcher lasts four innings in 7-5 win

Right-handed pitcher Nolan McLean lasted four innings in the Mets' 7-5 win on Friday night at Citi Field. He allowed three hits, two earned runs, and four walks while throwing 93 pitches. McLean recorded a three-up, three-down first inning before control issues resurfaced in the second. Three walks in that frame produced a 42-pitch inning and loaded the bases with one out.

Performance details Of 33 pitches thrown to the strike zone, only seven were off-speed offerings. McLean said after a prior start that landing different pitches in the zone remained his main focus. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza noted that a quicker offensive inning might have kept McLean from returning after the second.

Both the pitcher and manager said no one prepares for 40-50 pitches in a single frame. McLean allowed just two earned runs despite the bases-loaded situation. He settled in his final two innings, giving up one hit, one walk, and recording one strikeout.

Entering Friday, McLean posted a 3.98 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and 10.2 strikeouts per nine innings. His strikeout rate and batting average against ranked first among qualified rookies.