Mets 7-2 Red Sox (September 3, 2024) Match Report

NEW YORK — David Peterson recorded a career-high 11 strikeouts on his 29th birthday and Francisco Lindor scored three runs as the New York Mets beat the struggling Boston Red Sox 7-2 on Tuesday night for their sixth straight victory.

Lindor hit his 30th home run and added a game-winning RBI double, drawing more chants of “MVP! MVP!” from the crowd at Citi Field.

“That's something special. He's been doing that a lot lately, and I think you saw that it was kind of contagious at the end,” Peterson said. “Those runs at the end were huge for us.”

Pete Alonso and Mark Vientos also hit home runs for the Mets, who finished half a game behind Atlanta and secured the last NL wild card. New York (75-64) has won 13 of 18 games overall and has improved to 53-31 since May 30, the best mark in the major leagues.

“We've felt a sense of urgency for some time now,” Lindor said. “And that's not just me, it's everyone here.”

Vientos welcomed Justin Slaten with a home run in the seventh inning after Lindor's two-run shot in the third inning was the Mets' only hit against starter Kutter Crawford (8-13), who had missed eight times in six innings.

After motivated reliever Reed Garrett broke free from a bases-loaded situation in the eighth inning and defended his one-run lead, Lindor hit an RBI double in the second half to make it 4-2.

“I love this,” Lindor said. “I want these moments.”

Brandon Nimmo followed with a sacrifice fly and Alonso hit a two-run homer, his 31st home run of the season.

Lindor, who also stole his 26th base, has a .362 batting average with six home runs, seven doubles, 12 RBIs and 14 runs during a 14-game hitting streak — one shy of his career high. He has reached base in 32 consecutive games, which is his career high, the longest active streak in the major leagues.

The switch-hitter reached 30 home runs for the fifth time. The only shortstop with more than 30 home runs is Alex Rodríguez (seven).

Peterson (9-1) pitched six excellent innings, allowed one run, lowered his ERA to 2.75 and won his fourth straight victory. All six of the left-hander's hits were singles – many of them on light contact.

“We were able to have success with the fastballs up in the zone,” Peterson said. “We got swings and misses, so we kept coming back to it.”

He began the game throwing a career-high 16 consecutive strikes, and the first four innings went in 59 minutes. New York has a 14-3 record in Peterson's starts since he made his season debut on May 29 after recovering from hip surgery.

“He did it. A real professional,” said Lindor. “He has come a long way. I am so happy for him.”

Peterson became the first Mets starter since Dillon Gee in April 2012 to win on his birthday.

“I'll take that. That's a good gift for me,” Peterson said. “Call the family and say goodnight. Yes, that would be the icing on the cake.”

Nick Sogard had an RBI single and pinch-hitter Enmanuel Valdéz hit a sacrifice fly with the bases loaded for the flagging Red Sox, who have lost four in a row and five of six. They have scored a total of five runs in those losses.

Boston (70-69) is 4 1/2 games behind Kansas City in the battle for the last playoff spot in the American League.

“The line isn't moving. I mean, we put pressure on them tonight – but we're much better than that. Much better. We just have to keep working,” manager Alex Cora said. “We're working hard with the players. This is a good club offensively that's going through a bad patch right now.”

TRAINING ROOM

Red Sox: SS Trevor Story, out of action since April 6 with a dislocated left shoulder, could soon come off the injured list. Story had a scheduled day off at Triple-A Worcester after playing five innings Monday in his second rehab game — and first appearance as a shortstop. He is scheduled to return to shortstop on Wednesday and does not necessarily need to play nine innings there before returning to the Red Sox, Cora said. … RHP Liam Hendriks will make another rehab appearance for Worcester on Wednesday and then hopefully return to pitching at Triple-A on Thursday. Boston wants the veteran reliever to get through two consecutive outings before returning to the major leagues. Hendriks has been out of action all season after undergoing Tommy John surgery.

Mets: RHP Paul Blackburn (right hand contusion) allowed one run in 6 2/3 innings during a rehab start at Triple-A Syracuse. He threw 75 pitches. … RHP Dedniel Núñez (forearm tightness) will continue to receive treatment throughout the home opener this week. The team does not believe an MRI is necessary at this time, manager Carlos Mendoza said.

Next

All-Star RHP Tanner Houck (8-9, 3.12 ERA) will face Mets RHP Tylor Megill (3-5, 4.82) in the series finale on Wednesday night. Megill returned from the minor leagues last Friday and won 5-1 in Chicago against the lowly White Sox, recording six strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings.

——

This story has been updated to correct Blackburn's pitching line as he begins his rehab.

——

APMLB: