Not quite back to peak powers, McLean takes step forward for Mets

NEW YORK -- It wasn’t exactly peak Nolan McLean, but it was better. At times, it was a lot better. On this day, that was precisely what the Mets needed.

Coming off the two worst starts of his career, McLean rebounded to hold the Marlins to one run over five innings Sunday at Citi Field. McLean’s issues didn’t exactly dissipate, as he walked five batters, hit another and threw 94 pitches. But he also allowed just two hits and stranded seven runners on base, sticking around long enough to qualify for a win.

In his previous two starts, McLean had allowed 16 runs (13 earned) over nine total innings, taking the loss in each of them. Between outings, the Mets worked with McLean on throwing his secondary pitches for strikes -- something he didn’t exactly do with aplomb, but that he at least did well enough to prevent the Marlins from teeing off on his fastballs.

“This is the first time he’s been challenged at this level,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “But if somebody’s equipped to make adjustments and go out there and compete, it’s Nolan.”

McLean’s foremost challenge came in the fourth inning, when he walked the first two batters. Connor Norby followed with a deep fly ball that A.J. Ewing caught just before crashing into the center-field fence. Although Owen Caissie subsequently hit an RBI double, McLean buckled down to induce two ground balls and strand the bases loaded.

The Mets tacked on two runs of their own in the bottom of the inning to give McLean a four-run lead.