Jonah Tong’s<\/strong><\/a> strong start and Brandon Nimmo’s<\/strong><\/a> three-run home run gave the New York Mets<\/a> a big series win over the San Diego Padres<\/a>, 6\u20131, Thursday afternoon.<\/p>\n In Tong’s disastrous performance on September 12 against the Texas Rangers<\/a>, he didn’t attack the hitters. He threw a lot of changeups and struggled to find the plate, which led to him getting knocked out after getting only two outs and surrendering six runs. It was the first time Tong had really struggled this year.<\/p>\n But it was a different story Thursday.<\/p>\n Tong’s strong start was because of his aggressiveness. He went after the Padres. 55 of his 82 pitches were fastballs, and the Padres had trouble catching up to it. Seven of his eight strikeouts were on the heater, which he was dotting all over the strike zone. He walked nobody and gave up just one unearned run.<\/p>\n “Threw a lot more strikes,” Tong said postgame<\/a>. “From the very first pitch, having the confidence to attack hitters.”<\/p>\n Home runs defined the Mets’ offense in the series against the Padres. The Mets homered four times Tuesday and four more times Wednesday. On Thursday, Pete Alonso<\/strong><\/a> hit a solo shot in the first inning — his fourth straight game with a long ball. In the third inning, Nimmo greeted reliever Wandy Peralta<\/strong><\/a> by golfing a changeup into the Padres\u2019 bullpen in right-center.<\/p>\n After struggling to score for the first half of September, the Mets might be starting to turn it around offensively. When right, they\u2019re offense is a nuisance for even the best pitching staffs like the Padres.<\/p>\n The worst thing that happened to the Mets on Thursday was the news pregame that Reed Garrett<\/a><\/strong> would hit the injured list with a right elbow sprain. The reliever has been good for the Mets the last two seasons, striking out 147 hitters in 112 2\/3 innings and pitching to a 3.83 ERA. However, his regular season is over.<\/p>\n Carlos Mendoza said Garrett may have to undergo Tommy John surgery.<\/p>\n “It’s hard to say,” Mendoza said pregame<\/a>. “But it’s concerning.”<\/p>\n The Mets\u2019 magic number for a playoff spot drops to eight with the win.<\/p>\n The Mets play their last home series of the regular season, as they welcome the Washington Nationals<\/a> to Citi Field over the weekend. Brandon Sproat<\/strong><\/a> (0\u20131, 2.25 ERA) takes the mound for the Mets Friday night, while Andrew Alvarez<\/strong><\/a> (1\u20130, 1.15 ERA) starts for the Nationals. First pitch is set for 7:10 pm Eastern.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Main photo:<\/strong>What Went Right for the Mets<\/h2>\n
Jonah Tong Bounces Back<\/h3>\n
Power Surge<\/h3>\n
What Went Wrong for the Mets<\/h2>\n
Reed Garrett Injury<\/h3>\n
Quick Hits<\/h2>\n
Looking Ahead<\/h2>\n
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>