Peterson Struggles in Loss to Cardinals

David Peterson hit a rough patch during Wednesday night’s game, pitching only three and a third innings in a 9-2 defeat against the Cardinals. He allowed six earned runs, which included home runs from both Nelson Velasquez and Jordan Walker.

A pivotal moment for Peterson came when he faced Machine Wynn with two outs in the third inning. The count was 0-2, yet he ended up walking Wynn after three consecutive fastballs. Subsequently, Velasquez hit a two-run home run on the next pitch.

After the game, Peterson left the clubhouse before the media arrived, but he spoke to reporters the following morning before the series finale against St. Louis.

When asked about his biggest frustration, Peterson acknowledged his ongoing difficulties in getting batters out, even when he’s ahead in the count. “I get some quick outs, but then I find myself in deep counts and end up walking a few guys. Those missed pitches come back to hurt me with home runs,” he explained.

Having made his debut in 2020, Peterson is now the longest-tenured player on the Mets. He has witnessed the team’s ups and downs over the years—a remarkable 101-win season in 2022, an NLCS appearance in 2024, and then a historic collapse in 2025.

“It takes a lot to have a good season,” he said. “There are moments when we rise and then others when we feel we’re in a rut. It’s not something that’s going to be fixed overnight or in a game.”

He highlighted the necessity of approaching each game one at a time, especially during difficult times. Currently, Peterson holds a 5.75 ERA for the season and is set to become a free agent after this year.

When asked if his free agency was weighing on him, he responded, “That’s not my focus. There’s nothing I can control right now concerning that. I think the best way for me to proceed is to concentrate on each day and perform to the best of my ability every time I’m on the mound.”