Nolan McLean’s Challenging Subway Series Debut

Nolan McLean’s first taste of the Subway Series didn’t quite go as he had hoped.

In a game against the Yankees on Friday, the right-handed pitcher gave up a career-high 10 hits, including two home runs, contributing to the Mets’ 6-4 loss in The Bronx.

The most significant blow came from Cody Bellinger, who hit a three-run homer in the second inning, putting a lot of pressure on McLean. Later, Ben Rice also homered in the fifth inning, extending the Mets’ deficit to 5-1. After that inning, McLean was pulled from the game having thrown 101 pitches.

Reflecting on the night, McLean acknowledged, “If you don’t have your best stuff, teams are going to beat you. I didn’t have my best stuff tonight, and the Yankees are a good team. They came out and beat me.”

This outing marked a tough break for McLean, who had been on a roll with five consecutive starts allowing two earned runs or fewer, and managing to pitch at least six innings. Before this game, he had gone six innings in 13 of his last 14 starts.

The game didn’t start well for him; he allowed three singles and a walk in the first inning, falling behind 1-0 early on. After Spencer Jones hit an RBI single with the bases loaded, McLean managed to escape further trouble by forcing George Lombard Jr. into a double play to end the inning.

Although he quickly recorded two outs in the second inning, McLean then surrendered back-to-back singles to Anthony Volpe and Rice. Bellinger’s homer, hit on a full-count curveball, marked the first time McLean had allowed a home run on a curveball in his career.

“There are definitely pitches I could have executed better. And, you know, sometimes you make good pitches, and they just don’t go where you want them to,” McLean said. “It felt like in those first two innings, that’s what happened a lot. Bellinger’s swing really sealed the deal for that inning.”

In the third inning, McLean got some assistance from Carson Benge, who threw out Luis Garcia at second base while trying to stretch a leadoff single into a double, helping McLean avoid further issues.

The home run by Rice in the fifth marked the first game since July 30, when McLean allowed two homers, that he had given up multiple home runs in one game.

Nevertheless, McLean recognized the night’s significance, as the game featured pregame ceremonies honoring the 25th anniversary of 9/11.

“Awesome fans, awesome city,” he remarked. “I think what’s ultimately most important about tonight is honoring those who died trying to help others and those who were in those buildings. It’s heartening to see so many people come out and support.”