Mets Dominate Dodgers, Avoiding Season Sweep with Big Homers

The New York Mets clinched an 8-3 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday, successfully preventing a season sweep, yet the overshadowing narrative remained the impending August 3rd trade deadline. This win served as a backdrop for what is expected to be a significant selloff for the last-place Mets, with pitcher Freddy Peralta at the forefront of trade discussions, despite a largely underwhelming tenure in Flushing.

Peralta, acquired as the Mets’ ace last January, pitched four lackluster innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits and two walks, needing 93 pitches to navigate the short outing. His season-long 4.99 ERA and impending free agency at the end of the season, with approximately $2.82 million still owed, position him as a distressed asset. Despite his subpar numbers, Peralta expressed confidence in his abilities, stating, "I know that I can be way better than this. I still believe in myself. I am born to be a winner, not a loser. And I think I have a lot in me, a lot to show, and I know that it can change, because I still have time to make a change, to make it better."

However, Peralta's season-long pledge to improve never materialized for the Mets, and his performance has done little to enhance his trade value as the deadline approaches. Excluding a particularly rough outing on June 20th where he gave up 10 hits and 10 runs, his ERA in the six starts since then, including Sunday, stands at 5.46, with 35 hits allowed in 28 innings. Just a week prior, he sounded lost after stumbling against his former team in Milwaukee. To the Mets' relief, he claimed to find answers after Sunday's game, noting his fastball velocity and movement were up to standard, reminding him of "the best version of myself." Manager Andy Green, who has overseen Peralta for the past month, endorsed him as an "October weapon," citing his track record, experience, and stuff, believing he can "dominate five or six innings," which is often sufficient in postseason situations.

Ultimately, Peralta's inability to live up to expectations is a significant factor in the Mets becoming deadline sellers, on pace for 95 losses this season. He is scheduled for one more start in a Mets uniform, likely Friday against the Marlins, though the organization, led by president of baseball operations David Stearns, faces the risk of injury or another poor outing. The trade market for pitchers like Tarik Skubal and Casey Mize could also influence Peralta's value.

While Peralta's outing was mixed, the game served as a showcase for other key trade pieces, most notably outfielder Tyrone Taylor. Starting in place of the injured Juan Soto, Taylor delivered a crucial go-ahead three-run homer in the sixth inning, driving in rookie Carson Benge and pinch-hitter Luis Robert Jr. Taylor's performance since returning from the injured list on June 28th has been exceptional, boasting a .382 batting average (13-for-34) with four doubles, five homers, and an MLB-best 1.403 OPS in his last 17 games (minimum 30 plate appearances). As a pending free agent, Taylor's recent surge makes his departure from Queens before the deadline almost certain.

The Mets' offense rallied effectively, with Marcus Semien adding a three-run drive in the seventh inning off Will Klein, his second homer since returning from a strained left hip on July 16th, extending the lead to 8-3. A.J. Ewing also scored on a passed ball by Dalton Rushing in the seventh. Francisco Lindor had an RBI single in the first inning, part of a strong start where the Mets recorded three straight hits.

On the pitching front, Cionel Pérez (4-3) earned the win with two perfect innings of relief. Luke Weaver managed to escape a bases-loaded jam in the eighth inning, preserving the lead. The Dodgers' offense struggled, going 2 for 13 with runners in scoring position. Freddie Freeman contributed an RBI double, while Shohei Ohtani, dealing with left knee irritation, went 1 for 4 and has been struggling since the All-Star break, hitting just .184 (7-for-38). Los Angeles starter Emmet Sheehan allowed only one run over five innings.

The victory ended the Mets' five-game home losing streak and marked only their fourth win in the last 16 games at Citi Field. It also allowed them to avoid being swept in the season series against the Dodgers for only the second time in team history. As for Peralta and other likely trade pieces like Taylor, the sentiment is clear: "It's not easy to not think about it," Peralta conceded. "But at the end of the day, it's business, and I have to understand that."