Clay Holmes had a standout performance on Sunday as he took the mound for the Mets against the Colorado Rockies at Citi Field. In what marked his longest outing as a major league pitcher, Holmes completed seven innings, allowing three runs on just three hits while striking out three batters. This was a significant milestone for Holmes, who had previously not recorded an out in the seventh inning in any of his first 11 starts with the Mets.
The game ended with the Mets clinching a 5-3 victory, completing a sweep of the Rockies. Holmes expressed confidence in his ability to pitch effectively, stating, “I feel like I have the ability to fill the strike zone up right now and let the defense work.” His strategy focused on inducing ground balls, which kept his defense active throughout the game.
Manager Carlos Mendoza praised Holmes’ ground-ball pitching style, which influenced his decision to field a strong defensive lineup with Brett Baty at third base and Luisangel Acuña at second. The Mets’ defense, particularly Baty and Acuña, made several key plays that helped secure the win.
Holmes relied heavily on his sinker and sweeper, which proved effective in keeping the Rockies’ hitters off balance. The only blemishes on his performance were two home runs: one from Orlando Arcia in the first inning and another two-run shot from Tyler Freeman in the fifth. Despite these runs, Holmes’ efficiency was notable, as he needed just 85 pitches to complete his seven innings of work.
On the offensive side, the Mets showcased their power with home runs from Pete Alonso, Francisco Lindor, and Juan Soto. Alonso’s three-run homer in the fourth inning was particularly significant, as it moved him into fourth place for the most RBIs in franchise history, surpassing Howard Johnson.
Brandon Nimmo, who had been dealing with a calf cramp, returned to the field in the seventh inning, replacing Starling Marte. Mendoza mentioned that the team was being cautious with Nimmo’s recovery.
Looking ahead, Sean Manaea is scheduled to throw another live batting practice session on Monday as he continues his recovery process. The Mets are optimistic about his return to the lineup soon.
Overall, Sunday’s game highlighted the Mets’ strong pitching and offensive capabilities, setting a positive tone as they move forward in the season.
