Jonah Tong Shines in Recent Game
ANAHEIM, Calif. — Jonah Tong’s early days with Triple-A Syracuse have been pretty quiet, but Saturday marked a notable change for him.
Taking the mound against Lehigh Valley, the Mets’ pitching prospect delivered an impressive six-inning performance, allowing just one hit, striking out six batters, and walking two.
Although Tong pitched a no-hitter until the sixth inning, his overall season stats show he has played in seven games with an ERA of 4.60. Interestingly, he also boasts 44 strikeouts, which ties him for the highest in the minor leagues.
Manager Carlos Mendoza acknowledged Tong’s progress, saying, “We need to keep monitoring it,” before heading into the Mets’ game against the Angels, which ended in a 4-3 loss in ten innings.
“He holds significant value for this organization. We’ll keep a close watch on him. It was encouraging to see him deliver another solid performance today,” Mendoza added.
At 22, Tong made five appearances for the Mets last season, concluding with a less-than-ideal 7.72 ERA.
New Faces and Promising Performances
Austin Slater and Andy Ibáñez, both newcomers to the Mets, started as corner outfielders against the Angels’ Reid Detmers.
“They’ve proven themselves at this level over the years. They’re here for a reason, and we’ll keep providing them with opportunities,” Mendoza noted.
Ibáñez recorded one hit and had a sacrifice fly but was later substituted by Carson Benge. Slater had a decent game, with two hits in three at-bats and crossed home plate once.
Mets management was encouraged by Christian Scott’s outing on Friday, particularly after a rough previous game. He bounced back nicely, throwing five innings against the Angels, giving up three earned runs while striking out eight.
Just the game before, he had walked five batters in 1¹/₃ innings after returning from Tommy John surgery.
Scott surrendered a two-run homer early on to Jorge Soler but settled down afterward, allowing only one earned run through the rest of his outing.
Mendoza praised Scott, saying, “It’s not just about his skill set; he has a solid mindset. He doesn’t get too high or low. Even after tough moments, he keeps going. It showcases his maturity.”
Injuries and Team Stats
In other news, Jorge Polanco has been out for two weeks due to a bruised right wrist but has begun batting practice as part of his recovery. He’s also coping with left Achilles bursitis.
Currently, the Mets maintain a record of 305 wins and 305 losses in interleague play.
