By admin 
Nolan McLean tossed six eventful innings and earned the win after benefiting from three outfield assists Monday night, as the host New York Mets stayed hot by edging the San Diego Padres 2-1 in the opener of a three-game series.
Read more Atlanta Dream Coach Refuses to Blame Unfortunate Situation for Loss to Caitlin Clark, Fever
Right fielder Carson Benge threw out two runners at home in the first inning and left fielder A.J. Ewing nabbed a runner at the plate to end the second for the Mets, who became the first team since at least 1920 to throw out three runners at home in the first two innings of a game.
In all, the Padres made four outs at home between the first and second innings.
Bo Bichette (single) and Luis Robert Jr. (sacrifice fly) had first-inning RBIs for the Mets, who improved to a major-league-best 10-3 since the trade deadline — when New York finished dealing away eight players from a last-place team.
Walker Buehler took the hard-luck loss and Fernando Tatis Jr. lofted a sacrifice fly for the Padres, who are 9-4 since the deadline.
McLean (9-8) managed to last at least six innings for the 10th time in his past 11 starts despite throwing 45 pitches and allowing eight baserunners in the first two frames.
Read more Dodgers Broadcaster Calls for Kyle Tucker Demotion Amid Brutal Struggles
Benge ended the first by throwing out Jake Cronenworth and Manny Machado on consecutive singles by Ty France and Jackson Merrill, respectively.
McLean opened the second by walking Luis Campusano, plunking Gavin Sheets and walking Xander Bogaerts before Campusano was forced at home on Luis Rengifo’s comebacker. Tatis followed with a sacrifice fly to deep left, after which Bogaerts was thrown out at home by Ewing as he tried scoring on Cronenworth’s single.
Overall, McLean gave up one run on six hits and four walks while striking out three. Jonathan Pintaro got four outs and Nate Lavender retired both batters he faced before Daniel Duarte earned his second save with a perfect ninth.
Buehler (7-6) gave up two runs on two hits — both in the first — while walking two and striking out four over six innings. He retired 16 of the final 17 batters he faced beginning with Robert’s sacrifice fly.
Read more Big first-inning rally proves enough for Twins to top Braves
–Field Level Media
Copyright 2026 Field Level Media. All Rights Reserved.
This story was originally published August 17, 2026 at 6:56 PM.