Luis Severino Shuts Out Marlins in Win on Saturday

Luis Severino entered Saturday’s start in a rut.

The righty started August with back-to-back starts with four runs allowed, one start in Coors Field and one in Seattle. Two parks on the opposite ends of the spectrum for pitchers.

And the two starts before August, Severino allowed eight earned runs combined. The last four, Severino had combined for an 8.00 ERA, allowing 16 earned runs and five homers in 18 innings.

The lack of success was startling. And the Mets desperately needed Severino to return to his first half form, where he pitched to a 3.78 ERA. Thankfully for himself and the Mets, Severino turned out his best start of the season against the Marlins.

Severino shut out the Fish on 113 pitches, striking out eight batters in his complete game effort. He scattered four hits and one walk, stranding only three batters in scoring position to record the Mets’ first complete game of the season.

The start was dominant for its entirety. The most strenuous inning came in the second, where Severino threw 23 pitches, but nothing came from it. Kyle Stowers walked but no Marlin threatened the veteran.

The Mets defense also helped Severino throughout Saturday’s matchup. In the third, the Mets pulled off a 6-5-4-5 double play to escape the inning, and Brandon Nimmo made a stellar diving play to rob Stowers to retire the side in the seventh.

It was an all-around effort. Severino shoved, and the Mets provided him with four runs at the plate.

Whether or not Severino would go back out for the ninth inning was a question. The starter had a high pitch count after the eight, and then after he was allowed to start the ninth, he allowed a leadoff baserunner. Carlos Mendoza came out to the mound, and Francisco Lindor lobbied Severino to talk Mendoza into staying in the game.

What a moment for Luis Severino! pic.twitter.com/TurXCwxVqs

— Metsmerized Online (@Metsmerized) August 17, 2024

“When we were coming out, Lindor told me ‘he’s not out yet. Convince him if you’re ready you’re good,’ Severino told the media. “The conversation was, ‘are you good,’ and I said, ‘yes I’m good, give me one hitter at a time.’ And so we did, we threw a couple good pitches and got out of that inning.”

The conservation paid off not only for Severino, but for Mendoza. The bullpen was relieved yesterday by José Buttó, and now today by Severino.

The start also gave the fans a show on Saturday. It was the first time a Mets’ pitcher had thrown nine innings since Jacob deGrom in April of 2021, and according to Severino, the fans gave him an extra edge throughout his start.

“I mean it was amazing,” Severino said about the fans. “That was really fun to go out there and compete for this fanbase. It was really good. They gave me a little bit of force to go out there and compete for everybody.”

The shutout was Severino’s second in his career, and first since 2018. The last came on May 2, 2018, where he struck out 10 against the defending champion Astros in Houston.

It was by far Severino’s best start as a Met. And the outstanding performance solidified a chance for the Mets to sweep the Marlins tomorrow at Citi Field.

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