Mets’ Peterson Struggles Deepen Following Loss to Padres

David Peterson’s late-season challenges continue to intensify.

The Mets still have some work to do before they can consider postseason rotations seriously. However, Peterson, a left-hander, hasn’t provided much lately to warrant those considerations.

On Wednesday night, it seemed he might bounce back after a shaky start, but by the end of five innings, it all fell apart.

The turning point was Manny Machado’s grand slam, leading the Mets to a 7-4 defeat against the Padres at Citi Field.

The Mets are currently one and a half games ahead of the Diamondbacks for the third and final Wild Card spot in the National League.

The Reds and Giants are each two games behind the Mets.

Peterson has been a reliable figure for much of the season and even represented the Mets in the All-Star Game.

However, since August 6, over the course of eight starts, he has struggled significantly.

During this stretch, he has posted a 7.58 ERA, failing to complete six innings in six of those outings.

In the series-deciding game on Thursday, the Mets will shift to a younger lineup, starting with Jonaton as the first of three rookie pitchers set to take the mound (followed by Brandon Sproto and Nolan McLean).

Peterson began the game by giving up a single to Fernando Tatis Jr. and walking Louis Arez, leading to a sacrifice fly from Gavin Seat that put the Mets at 1-0.

Then, Pete Alonso hit a two-out homer for the Mets’ first run.

This marked Alonso’s third consecutive game with a home run, bringing his season total to 36 and his RBI count to 119.

Jake Cronenworth then responded with a second RBI single, giving the Padres a 2-1 lead.

After Jackson Merrill’s single and Jose Iglesias’ groundout, Cronenworth capitalized.

Sterling Marte hit a solo home run to tie the game at 2-2, marking his ninth home run of the season and leveraging a strong record against Nick Pivetta.

In the fifth inning, Peterson loaded the bases before Machado cleared the left field fence with his 14th career grand slam.

The home run came on a full-count curveball, which marked just the second homer allowed by Peterson in his last seven starts.

Following Cronenworth’s walk to Tatis, Peterson faced a tough battle, eventually allowing Juan Soto to hit a fifth home run that extended the Mets’ deficit to 6-3.

This blast brought Soto’s season total to 41, tying his previous career high from last season with the Yankees.

Dom Hamel, making his major league debut, pitched six shutout innings, giving up three hits but escaping danger when Arez was tagged out trying to extend a single.

The tag was made just before the lead runner crossed the plate, preventing the run from scoring.

Francisco Alvarez scored in the seventh inning, bringing the Mets closer at 6-4.

Soto almost hit another homer when he faced Mason Miller, narrowly missing the foul pole.

In the ninth, Ramon Laureano faced Ryne Stanek, further increasing the Padres’ lead to 7-4.

Soto came up to bat as the ninth hitter in the lineup, ultimately being retired by Robert Suarez to conclude the game.