The last time Luis Severino pitched that many innings in the majors was in 2018, during his second All-Star season with the Yankees.
And after allowing eight or more hits in three of his past four games, it’s fair to wonder if the strain is on Severino, who is in the midst of a resurgent season with the Mets.
But he pitched strong again on Wednesday in a 6-2 win over the Nationals at Citi Field, allowing just four hits and two runs in 6 1/3 innings.
Severino said he is “happy” with where he is physically.
“The work we’ve done here and in the offseason is starting to pay off,” Severino said. “We’re going to continue the routine we’re doing and we’re hopeful we’ll have a good second half of the season.”
Severino used a six-pitch combination that included a sweeper in the game against Washington.
He didn’t allow a hit until Lewis’ single with one out in the fourth inning, and was in control except for a tough fourth inning.
The only thing Severino did wrong Wednesday — and somehow he did it again in the fourth inning — was fail to back up to home plate after getting a hit.
The first run came when Juan Yepes singled to right field with a runner on second and an out at second, giving the Mets a run.
Tyrone Taylor hit a home run, but the ball deflected off Francisco Alvarez’s hands.
Keivert Lewis easily scored on the play, but Severino stayed close to the mound, allowing Lane Thomas to score from first base on the play, giving Washington a 2–1 lead.
“At first I thought they were cutting the throw. [off]”Then I saw everything that happened, and of course it was bad for me. I should have done better,” Severino said.
Ildemaro Vargas then singled to left, again keeping Severino near the mound, but Thomas remained on third base, preventing any further damage.
When asked about the play, Carlos Mendoza said, “We’re going to address it. He knows it. He let the play develop and he didn’t get where he needed to be. We’re going to fix that.”
But otherwise, the manager was once again encouraged by Severino’s play.
“He was good,” Mendoza said.
Mendoza added that the team will be “monitoring” Severino’s physical condition given his injury history.
Severino is confident the good form will continue into the second half of the season and said training this season has been “completely different.”
“My biggest concern going into free agency is [last offseason] “It’s about finding good trainers and people that will let you be on the field,” Severino said of his decision to sign with the Mets after a poor final season in the Bronx.
“He’ll get his break here at All-Star [Game]”He had an unbelievable first half and everything continues to go well,” Mendoza said.
