rewrite this title Mets’ Nolan McLean off to historic start to MLB career

The New York Mets were looking to sweep the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday night, and rookie pitcher Nolan McLean made sure his team came away with a win.

McLean tossed eight shutout innings, holding the Phillies to just one hit until the sixth inning. He allowed four hits overall while striking out six and walking none, needing just 95 pitches (71 strikes).

The Mets offense continued to deliver some timely hitting, going 5-for-8 with runners in scoring position. Third baseman Mark Vientos stayed hot, launching a two-run homer that made it a six-run game in the seventh inning. 

Reliever Brooks Raley closed out the 6-0 win in the ninth inning at Citi Field, bringing the Mets within four games of the Phillies (76-57) in the National League East. New York (72-61) is now four games ahead of the Cincinnati Reds (68-65) for the final NL wild-card spot.

With Wednesday’s dominant outing, the 24-year-old McLean is now undefeated in three starts since debuting on Aug. 16. The former third-round pick lowered his ERA to 0.89, with 21 strikeouts and just four walks in 20.1 innings pitched.