Rangers Rookie Nolan McLean’s Strong Performance
The Rangers, using a strategy they applied two nights earlier against another rookie pitcher, jumped on Nolan McLean right from the start on Sunday, scoring on his first 18 pitches.
It might have caught the right-hander off guard, but surprisingly, he stayed composed.
Despite that rocky beginning, McLean only issued a walk in the first inning and then went on to throw six scoreless innings, showcasing a solid outing.
“I struggled a bit with my first and second pitches. I fell behind in the count, so I’m hoping to improve moving forward,” he reflected on that initial inning.
The Rangers had previously adopted a similar approach against Jonah Tong, leading to some early turbulence for him before he was pulled. McLean, however, seemed more resilient.
“Those guys [the Rangers] had a good game plan against his sweepers, particularly early in the count,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza noted after the Mets triumphed 5-2 in 10 innings. “[McLean] realized this and adjusted by working in his sinker and changeup, which is crucial for his success.”
McLean managed to secure a double play in the fourth inning and again in the sixth. Overall, he allowed five hits, struck out seven, and walked two.
Before Sunday’s game, the Mets were grappling with an eight-game losing streak, marked by a high ERA of 6.27. Nevertheless, McLean wasn’t the problem, having only given up one run in his previous start against the Phillies. He hasn’t allowed more than two runs in any of his outings so far.
“He impressed me every time he was on the mound,” said Francisco Alvarez. “He’s able to manipulate the ball and has command over his entire repertoire, which makes him a really good pitcher.”
With an impressive 1.19 ERA for his first six major league starts, McLean trails only Terry Leach’s previous record of 1.73 for the Mets. Remarkably, he’s the first pitcher in the franchise’s history to not allow runs in his first three home starts.
“I’m not really focused on the stats,” McLean insisted. “I just aim to give my team the best chance to win each time I go out there.”
