Justin Verlander’s attempt to repeat a stellar 2022 season seems to be taking its time to arrive in Queens in his first season with the Mets. But he showed promise in a gritty outing Friday in the Mets’ 3-0 loss to the Blue Jays at Citi Field.
The co-ace, who missed the first month of the season recovering from a teres major strain he suffered in spring training, pitched well enough to erase the memories of a 10-7 loss to the Rockies on May 27, when he allowed nine hits and six earned runs over five innings.
“He gave us a great chance to win,” Mets manager Buck Showalter said of Verlander, who threw 117 pitches Friday.
One of Verlander’s former teammates from the 2017 World Series winning Astros got ahead of him right out of the gate. Blue Jays leadoff hitter George Springer launched a bomb to center field on the second pitch to start the scoring.
“I mean, home runs happen, especially this year as the balls are going out a little more frequently,” Verlander said. “You know, I’m a fly-ball pitcher. You just gotta reset.”
For the remainder of his six innings, Verlander did not allow another run and he finished the night having allowed five hits and one earned run with eight strikeouts and three walks.
“Gives up a home run to lead off the game and then puts up a lot of zeros there. … That’s impressive,” Showalter said. “Been doing that a long time, being able to dial up what was needed to keep us in the game there. We just couldn’t put across any runs. That’s the story of the game, obviously.”
Verlander later found himself in a pickle in the top of the sixth inning after his own fielding error, a close-call walk, and a single resulted in Toronto loading the bases with two outs.
As the crowd roared, Showalter kept Verlander in, believing he was the best pitcher to handle left-handed hitter Daulton Varsho.
Verlander delivered a strikeout on two fastballs, which Showalter said were some of his best, and a slider that got Varsho swinging.
“In six innings, not great,” Verlander said with a laugh. “It just ended up being a long inning. I’m thankful for the opportunity and glad I was able to come through. That’s how you win those type of ball games and not have to go to the bullpen too early. It didn’t change the outcome, but it could have.”
The game wasn’t a breezy one by any means. Verlander took two line drives off his upper right thigh. The 117 pitches also marked the most for a pitcher 40 or older since R.A. Dickey threw 121 for the Braves in 2017.
“I don’t think I’ve done that many in a while, but felt good physically,” Verlander said. “So see how I bounce back tomorrow, but I don’t think it’ll be too big of a deal.”