Adrian Hauser may have saved the career of a Mets player who was on the brink of being fired.
The right-hander’s presence was a big factor in the Mets’ come-from-behind victory Sunday, a day after the embattled pitcher was informed he would be returning to the bullpen to make room in the rotation for David Peterson.
Hauser pitched four innings in relief and allowed one earned run in the Mets’ 4–3 victory over the Giants at Citi Field.
“We needed it and he needed it,” coach Carlos Mendoza said.
Trevor Williams (2022) was the last Mets pitcher to pitch at least four innings as a relief pitcher and earn a win. Hauser last started on Tuesday at Cleveland, allowing six runs in five innings. He finished the season with a 7.88 ERA.
Sean Manaea pitched just five innings Sunday, allowing two runs. Hauser pitched in the sixth and allowed one run, but Harrison Bader’s leaping catch at the center field fence off a ball hit by Matt Chapman gave Hauser the win.
But the Giants went quiet against Hauser over the final three innings.
“Today we just wanted to pitch as many innings as we could and keep the score as close as possible,” Hauser said.
Peterson is scheduled to pitch Wednesday as part of a six-man rotation that also includes Manaea, Luis Severino, Jose Quintana, Tyler Megill and Christian Scott.
“I want to help this team as much as I can,” Hauser said. “I still consider myself a starter, but I want to get outs and win games. At the end of the day, it’s all about getting wins.”
The Mets’ fifth walk-off win of the season puts them in a tie with the Orioles and Marlins for the MLB lead. All five of their wins have come in the final game of a series.
Drew Smith pitched one scoreless inning and struck out two in a rehab appearance for High-A Brooklyn.
Sunday’s announced sellout of 41,016 tickets, aided in part by a giveaway of Hello Kitty bobblehead dolls with light-up bows, was the Mets’ first sellout since Opening Day.
