Risen Again: Mets Bring the Noise and the Gloves on Walking Dead Night, Beat the Snakes 8–3

Mets 8 Diamondbacks 3 (Citi Field, Flushing, NY)

Mets Record: 21-9

Mets Streak: W2

Mets Last 10: 8-2

WP: David Peterson (2-1)

LP: Eduardo Rodriguez (1-3)

Seat On The Korner: David Peterson

We select the star of the game and virtually invite him to a Seat on the Korner, just as Ralph Kiner used to do for his studio postgame show on WOR-channel 9 broadcasts in the early decades of the Mets.

Tonight’s Seat on the Korner — our virtual tip of the cap in the grand tradition of Ralph Kiner’s postgame chats on Channel 9 — goes to David Peterson, who played the role of The Walking Dead's Daryl Dixon: cool, composed, and lethal with his pitch selection instead of a crossbow. While zombies and baseballs were flying around Citi Field, Peterson carved through the chaos with precision. In 5 innings, he scattered 5 hits, allowed 1 earned run, walked none, struck out 2, and lowered his ERA from 3.29 to 3.06 while improving to 2–1 on the season. But it wasn’t just his arm that stood out; in his final inning, Peterson made a heads-up defensive play, fielding a sharp comebacker and firing it to Vientos at third to prevent the Diamondbacks from scoring their second run. In his career at Citi Field, Peterson has quietly become a fortress guardian — 17–8 with a 3.37 ERA over 52 appearances, and the Mets have gone 35–17 in those games. On a night built for the undead, Peterson brought life to the mound — and earned his place on the Korner..

Need To Know:

• Prior to the game Carlos Mendoza said A.J. Minter is dealing with a "pretty significant" lat injury and season-ending surgery is on the table.

• One day after Brandon Nimmo tied a franchise record with nine RBI in a single game, he was held out of the starting lineup with Flu like symptoms.

• The Mets are 19-7 in April. The team's 19 April wins are the

  most wins in the month in team history, surpassing the 2006 and 2002 teams who each had 16.

• The Mets have tied the National League record for most wins in April with 19, a mark previously reached by the 2024 Phillies, 2023 Pirates, 2008 Diamondbacks, 1997 Braves, and 2014 Brewers. A win tomorrow would set a new NL standard.

• The Mets have now won eight straight games at Citi Field, matching their longest home winning streak since June 12–28, 2024. They are now 13-1 at home.

• The Mets are in a stretch of 13 straight games (3-2) and 26 games in 27 days (13-5).

• The Mets starting staff has not allowed a home run in 14 home games this season that's the longest streak to start a season in franchise history...The previous streak was eight games, done twice before - March 31 - April 15,

  1998 and March 31 - April 19, 2003...Dating back to last season, the Mets starting staff has not allowed a home run at Citi Field in 15 straight games .

• The Mets have earned four series victories at home this year...The Mets have not lost a series at home since August 13-15 against the Athletics.The Mets have won the last 10 series at Citi Field...The team’s streak of 10 consecutive series victories at home is the longest in team history.(Courtesy of Elias)

• Mark Vientos saw his hitting streak come to an end at six games after going 0-for-4 on the night. Over his last 14 games, he’s now batting .296 (16-for-54) with 11 runs, 3 doubles, 1 triple, 3 home runs, and 12 RBIs — continuing to provide a steady presence in the Mets’ lineup despite the quiet night at the plate.

• Eduardo Rodriguez made his fourth career start against the Mets — and his first at Citi Field — but it was one he’ll want to forget. Coming in with a 1–0 lifetime record against the Mets and a 3.57 ERA (7 ER in 17.2 IP), in his first three starts against New York, Rodriguez had previously baffled Mets hitters. But that trend came to a screeching halt tonight. He took the loss after lasting just 4 innings, allowing 8 runs (all earned), walking 1, and striking out only 1. His career ERA against the Mets ballooned to 6.23 (15 ER in 21.2 IP) after the bruising. On a night when the Mets’ bats rose from the grave, Rodriguez couldn’t escape the offensive onslaught.

• The Mets Designated for assignment Jose Urena one day after he made his Mets debut, giving up 5 runs on 7 hits (2 home runs), walking 1 and striking out 3, while “nailing down” the save.

• The Mets made several other transactions, LHP Brooks Raley was officially signed to a one-year contract with a club option for the 2026 season and has been placed on the 15-Day IL with left elbow surgery. LHP Sean Manaea was transferred to the 60-Day IL. RHP Kevin Herget has been recalled from Triple-A…He will wear #57.

• Hergert made his debut tonight and went two innings giving up 3 hits, 2 runs , 1 earned

• The Mets will make an additional move later tonight as Left-hander Brandon Waddell will pitch tomorrow against the Diamondbacks, though it's TBA if he'll start or serve as a bulk reliever. (The Mets opted for the latter strategy earlier this month in a similar spot with Justin Hagenman.)

• The Mets denied Torey Lovullo's of his 600th career managerial win...he would become the 12th active skipper to reach the feat.

  
  

Turning Point

The game tilted decisively in the bottom of the second inning, where the Mets staged a four-run ambush — all with two outs. After Mark Vientos grounded out to short, Luisangel Acuña singled to center to start the rally. Francisco Alvarez followed with a pop-out in foul territory for the second out, but the Mets were just getting started. Tyrone Taylor ripped an RBI double to left, scoring Acuña to make it 1–0. José Azocar kept the momentum going with a line-drive RBI single to right, bringing home Taylor. Then Francisco Lindor delivered the knockout blow — a two-run homer to left, his sixth of the season — pushing the lead to 4–0. By the time Juan Soto lined out sharply to center to end the inning, Citi Field was roaring and the Mets had seized full control of the game.

Three Keys:

Glove Story : Mets Flash Leather with Three Web Gems in a Jaw-Dropping 4th

If there’s ever been a candidate for the best defensive inning in Mets history, the top of the 4th in this game might just be it. It began with a scorcher off the bat of Randal Grichuk — 100.1 mph off the bat, traveling 108 feet at a 7-degree launch angle — a would-be base hit that ricocheted off the glove of third baseman Mark Vientos. But shortstop Francisco Lindor was there in perfect position, snatching the deflection and firing a laser to Pete Alonso at first for the out. One batter later, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. sent a 101.3 mph missile 360 feet to deep center — the kind of ball that usually finds grass. But Tyrone Taylor had other plans, racing back and laying out for a full-extension backhanded grab that brought the crowd to its feet. Finally, Eugenio Suárez blistered a 111.8 mph grounder with eyes for left field, but Lindor vacuumed it cleanly and, once again, zipped it across the diamond to Alonso. Three outs, three missiles, and a defensive inning that will be replayed for years to come.

Bats, and Bombs: Mets Go Full Apocalypse Mode

On Walking Dead Night at Citi Field, it wasn’t the undead staggering around — it was Diamondbacks pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez, shell-shocked and gasping after another Mets onslaught. Francisco Lindor played the role of Rick Grimes, leading with purpose and power. Starling Marte was all Michonne — sleek, silent, deadly. And Pete Alonso? Let’s just say he brought his own version of Lucille to the plate, turning baseballs into walkers with every brutal swing. After dropping 17 runs in the final five innings Monday, the Mets picked up right where they left off, adding eight more in the first four today to make it 25 runs in nine innings. No safe zones. No survivors.

Everyday Potential: Acuña Shines Again

Luisangel Acuña is making it harder and harder to keep him out of the everyday lineup. After collecting hits in his final three at-bats yesterday, he picked up right where he left off tonight — singling in each of his first two trips to the plate before being robbed of a third hit on a bullet to Tim Tawa. The 22-year-old is now batting an even .300 on the season, flashing not only consistent contact but also speed on the bases and steady defense at second base. His baseball instincts seem to sharpen with each game, and over parts of two seasons, he’s hitting .303 across 109 big-league at-bats. Quietly and confidently, Acuña is building a compelling case to stay in Queens for good.