Mets Fall Short Despite Freddy Peralta’s Strong Start Against Rockies

The Mets were on a quest to extend their winning streak to three games on Friday, fueled by the presence of their ace, Freddy Peralta, on the mound against the Rockies. However, the much-anticipated performance fell short, leading to a 4-3 defeat that highlighted some ongoing concerns about Peralta’s ability to pitch deep into games.

In his latest outing, Peralta allowed two runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out eight batters. Despite these solid numbers, he managed to pitch only 5.2 innings, a trend that has plagued him this season. The Mets’ bullpen, already struggling, could not contain the Rockies, further complicating matters for New York.

After the loss, Peralta’s ERA stands at a respectable 3.90 for this stage of the season. However, the right-hander’s struggle to work deep into games raises eyebrows, as he has completed six innings just once and has not recorded an out in the seventh since July 13, 2025. Manager Carlos Mendoza expressed confidence in Peralta’s abilities, stating, “He’ll get there, he’s an ace. I’m not worried about that. I trust him and I know that he’s more than capable of going long in the game.”

Mendoza noted that there isn’t a single reason for Peralta’s early exits, suggesting that each start presents its own challenges. He highlighted a pivotal moment in the sixth inning, when a swinging bunt by Ezequial Tovar shifted the momentum. Mendoza remarked, “In general, every case has been different. I thought today, it was that one pitch the lefty [Jake McCarthy] was very aggressive. A walk here and there, trying to be too perfect…in general, he’s been pretty solid.”

Peralta echoed Mendoza’s sentiments, acknowledging the mental hurdle he faces. “I think mentally, I have to allow myself to keep trusting in the process because I feel amazing. I feel very good,” he shared. He reflected on the pressure he puts on himself to go deep into games, which sometimes leads to overthinking his pitches and resulting in walks and hits.

In Friday’s game, Peralta’s seven hits allowed marked a season high, and he has issued three walks in three of his last four starts. “[This has] happened in the past, and then everything’s fine again and I’ve been working on it,” he said. “It’s only six games into the season and I’ve been fine. The most important thing is that I’m feeling good… Everything. Pitching arsenal, body, how I feel, my arm. Everything is feeling very good.”

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.