New York Mets starter Jacob deGrom continues ‘to take care of business,’ wins in Citi Field return
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NEW YORK — Jacob deGrom struck out 12 and carried a perfect game into the sixth inning of his second start all season, pitching the New York Mets past the Atlanta Braves 5-2 on Sunday for their 12th victory in 14 games.
Pete Alonso drove in two runs, and the first-place Mets finished with 19 strikeouts, including three in a row from closer Edwin Diaz to end it. They took four of five from Atlanta in their National League East showdown, extending their division lead to 6½ games over the defending World Series champions.
Pitching at home for the first time in 13 months, a dominant deGrom (1-0) retired his first 17 batters — 12 on strikeouts — before walking Ehire Adrianza with two outs in the sixth.
“Stepping out there was a little emotional,” deGrom said. “I took a second, tried to take it all in, and then tried to focus and try to take care of business.”
Dansby Swanson followed with a two-run homer on the 76th and final pitch from deGrom, making it 5-2.
“I just feel bad for whoever has to face him,” Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo said in his postgame interview on the field. “He’s throwing 101, 102 [mph] out there, and he’s locating everything. Hats off to him for getting healthy and getting back to us. He’s primed and ready to go.”
The two-time Cy Young Award winner missed the final three months last season with right forearm tightness and a sprained elbow, and he was then shut down late in spring training because of a stress reaction in his right scapula. He finally returned Tuesday at the Washington Nationals, throwing five innings of one-run ball in a rare Mets loss lately.
“Throughout this whole time, the process has been very slow, and I was trying not to do too much, but I felt good the whole time,” deGrom said of his road back to the majors. “I think I was able to take a step back and take a look at where I was mechanically … try to put myself in a better position to stay healthy.”
Mets fans had to wait a little longer than they planned to see…
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Source : espn
