New Haven Register (New Haven, CT)
Carrasco, Lindor lift Mets to victory
NEW YORK — Carlos Carrasco pitched into the eighth inning for the first time in almost three years, leading the New York Mets over the San Francisco Giants 6-2 on Thursday.
Francisco Lindor, who had three hits, and Eduardo Escobar each connected for solo homers. Escobar’s second-inning shot gave the Mets the lead for good as they took three of four from the Giants.
“We’re the New York Mets,” Lindor said with a grin after his first start at designated hitter since Aug. 2, 2020. “We’ve got a good team.”
Mets manager Buck Showalter was back in the dugout after missing a game because of a medical procedure.
Carrasco (1-0) allowed four hits and walked none while striking out seven over 72⁄3innings. It was his longest outing since he went 72⁄3 innings for Cleveland on May 4, 2019, a little more than two months before he was diagnosed with leukemia.
Carrasco retired 18 in a row after Thairo Estrada’s RBI single in the second. Mauricio Dubon led off the eighth by reaching on an error and Curt Casali hit into a double play. Mike Yastrzemski ended Carrasco’s afternoon by homering off the advertising signage along the second deck in right field.
“You see a guy be successful a third time through the order, tells you he’s got a lot of weapons at his disposal that day,” Showalter said. “He was good. Boy, fun to watch.”
A crowd of 28,760 gave Carrasco a warm ovation as he walked off the mound, clapping into his glove several times.
“It was really good,”
Carrasco said. “We love the fans and we love to play here. I think more importantly, the team is winning some games.”
The outing actually raised Carrasco’s ERA from 0.84 to 1.47 in three starts. Carrasco, who had three 200-strikeout seasons with Cleveland before the Mets acquired him along with Lindor on Jan. 7, 2021, posted a 6.04 ERA in 12 starts last season, when he didn’t debut until July 30 due to a hamstring injury. He had a bone fragment removed from his right elbow last October.
“The pedigree’s there and the want to is there,” Showalter said. “He’s in a good spot. Let’s face it: The big thing is he’s healthy. I think we all know what Carlos is capable of when he’s healthy.”
Giants right-hander Anthony DeSclafini (0-1), who grew up about 60 miles from Citi Field in Freehold, New Jersey, allowed five runs on nine hits and one walk with four strikeouts in five innings.
Lindor’s homer was the first surrendered this season by the Giants.
“We weren’t not going to give up a home run all year,” Giants manager Gabe Kapler said. “When you go through a stretch where those things are not happening, you are pleased with the results. But you also always know there are going to be some times that aren’t perfect.”
Tomas Nido delivered a sacrifice fly in the second, Mark Canha hit a two-run single in the third and Brandon Nimmo had an RBI single in the eighth.
UP NEXT
Mets: LHP David Peterson (0-0, 0.00 ERA), who tossed 4 2/3 innings in his first start of the season Sunday, opens a six-game road trip Friday by taking the mound against the Arizona Diamondbacks.