The New York Mets bullpen provided a crucial five scoreless innings to secure a victory against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday. This performance helped offset a short outing by starting pitcher Freddy Peralta, who was removed after four innings and 93 pitches.
Cionel Pérez was credited with the win, pitching six key outs to stabilize the game. He was followed by scoreless innings from Brooks Raley, Luke Weaver, and Devin Williams. Weaver notably made an off-balance throw while falling to retire Teoscar Hernández.
Pérez, who joined the Mets on a minor league deal in May, has contributed significantly in relief, posting a 4.38 ERA with 31 strikeouts prior to Sunday's game. Interim manager Andy Green praised Pérez as a valuable midseason acquisition, highlighting his ability to attack the strike zone and his effectiveness in striking out Freddie Freeman.
"He was a huge kind of midseason pickup. Our scouts identified him — been the right kind of guy in every way," Green said. "Really attacked the zone."
Green also acknowledged the importance of the bullpen's contribution, stating, "We needed them [the six outs] at that point in time."
Looking ahead, the team's bullpen composition may change with the upcoming trade deadline. Both Weaver and Raley have maintained strong ERAs this season, with Weaver at 1.93 and Raley at 2.10. Green indicated that the team might exercise more caution with their pitchers' workloads in the near future.
"If those guys [the bullpen overall] are feeling great, they will still pitch," Green said. "But we will be conservative to some degree and make good decisions for them, put them in a good position. I think we always do that from a medical staff perspective."
The Mets are scheduled to host the Braves and Marlins in their upcoming home series.