It was another tough start for Freddy Peralta.
Going up against the Blue Jays on Wednesday, Peralta lasted just four innings, allowing five runs in the Mets’ 9-3 loss up in Toronto. The outing raised Peralta’s ERA to 4.81 and WHIP to 1.416 and continued his disappointing season with the Mets.
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The Mets traded for Peralta this past offseason, hoping he’d be the ace of the staff. What they got has been an inconsistent starter, and someone who has not pitched anywhere close to the 2.70 ERA, 1.075 WHIP ace the Brewers had a season ago.
For Wednesday’s start, specifically, Peralta’s fastball command was just not there. He walked three batters, the most he’s allowed since the six-walk start against the Yankees on May 17, and when he did find the zone, the Jays were all over it.
“I know we all want him to go out there and dominate like we believe he can,” interim manager Andy Green said after the game. “For us, it’s just a matter of getting the fastball where he knows he wins. He’s been winning there for a long time in the big leagues. And he knows how he’s good, why he’s good and we all know it. It’s just a matter of going out there and executing.”
“At some point, I can’t tell if I lose the command a little bit, but I think everything starts with the walk with the first hitter of the inning,” Peralta said of his fastball command. “The plan was good. It just…it happens. I can’t control it, I just need to be better, execute better. Have to check and see what’s going on. I’ve been getting some work with people I need to work with. Just have to put everything together and wait for the best.”
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Peralta was visibly frustrated on the mound and in the dugout during the game. When he dialed up his fastball to 99 mph to get the final out in the first inning and limit the damage to just one run, Peralta could be seen talking to himself and clenching his fists.
He was asked after the game how he was feeling, and the right-hander was candid.
“Not good,” Peralta said. “I don’t feel good, but just try to come back and make the adjustment.”
Peralta was asked if he feels this is the roughest stretch of his career, and he answered: “probably, yes.”
What’s especially frustrating for Peralta is that his velocity, the movement of his pitches and his mechanics are right where it needs to be, but he can’t explain what’s happening to him.
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“I understand the game, and all that. But sometimes what I do is my best every day. I prepare to have success, but sometimes,” Peralta said before pausing. “It’s crazy is the word I can describe it right now.”
Peralta is in the final year of his contract and could potentially be a trade piece if the Mets decide to become sellers at the Aug. 3 trade deadline. But if the Mets go down that route and hope to get a decent return, they need Peralta to become more consistent.
