Jonah Tong was given another start in the big leagues in large part because of the way he’s bounced back from tough outings in the minor leagues. As it turns out, he’s just as adept at that in the Majors as well.
Tong was stellar in the Mets‘ 7-1 win over the San Diego Padres on Thursday afternoon at Citi Field, winning a key series against the team directly ahead of them in the NL Wild Card standings.
Tong, all of 22 years old, didn’t even make it through the first inning his last time out against the Texas Rangers, leading the Mets to question whether or not it was good for all involved to have the inexperienced, right-handed rookie starting games.
It’s a valid debate. The club has a responsibility to balance the near-term goals of a team that’s hanging on to the third Wild Card playoff spot, and the long-term development of a potential frontline starter. A few too many bad starts could kill a young pitcher’s confidence and set the team back in the standings.
But Tong (2-3) was ready to rebound. Using the deadly high fastball he’s known for, he held the Padres (83-70) to only one unearned run and struck out eight over five innings. He likely could have gone longer than five innings, having thrown only 82 pitches, but the Mets (79-74) are trying to be careful with their three young rookies in an effort to protect them and ensure they’re in optimal situations.
The one run scored by San Diego was mostly the result of a sloppy sequence in the third inning. Leadoff man Fernando Tatis hit a one-out single, one of only four hits allowed by Tong, and the pitcher’s pickoff throw went past Pete Alonso. The error sent him to second, and a wild pitch sent him to third, where he was able to score on a fly ball by Luis Arraez. Brandon Nimmo’s throw from left field to catcher Luis Torrens was on the line, but not in time, and the game was tied at 1-1.
Nimmo gave Tong some run support in the bottom of the inning. Cedric Mullins started the inning with a single, and went to third on a single by Francisco Lindor, who took second on the throw and barely slid in safely. A ground-ball by Juan Soto scored Mullins, and the Mets went ahead 2-1.
It was the 100th RBI of the season for Soto.
Pete Alonso, who homered in the first inning to open the scoring, drew a walk to put two on, and the Padres went to the bullpen to replace right-hander Randy Vasquez (5-7). Left-hander Wandy Peralta relieved Rodriguez to counter the left-handed Nimmo.
The outfielder teed off on a 1-2 changeup, sending it into the San Diego bullpen in right-center field for a three-run homer.
Tyler Rogers, Brooks Raley, Gregory Soto and Edwin Diaz held the Padres scoreless the rest of the way.
For Tong, it warrants another start. He’s showing that he can handle the pressure of pitching for the playoffs. For the Mets, it was easily the most complete win the Mets have had in weeks, if not longer, showing they’re capable of playing solid baseball when it counts.
