The New York Mets defeated the San Francisco Giants 10-3 on Friday at Oracle Park in a game that featured a collaboration with San José State to honor Spartan pride.
The Giants dropped the last two games of the series on Saturday and Sunday, losing the series 3-1. Their only win came on Thursday, April 2, when they won 7-2.
Students, alumni and faculty were invited to attend the game and collect a co-branded hat featuring SJSU and the Giants.
The event has continued the long-standing relationship between the university and the team.
The night also included pre-game performances by SJSU’s cheer team and the Spartan Marching Band at Willie Mays Plaza, as well as an instrumental version of the National Anthem.
The Mets jumped out to an early lead as Giants starting pitcher Tyler Mahle allowed four hits in the first inning, leading to two runs.
Despite Mets star right-fielder Juan Soto exiting after the first inning, New York maintained the momentum.
The Mets scored three runs in the fourth inning on back-to-back home runs to extend the lead to 5-0.
Mets’ starting pitcher Nolan McLean played a key role in the win, throwing a perfect game through five innings.
He was removed in the sixth inning, with reliever Brooks Raley finishing the frame.
The Giants broke through in the sixth inning after recording their first hit and putting runners on base.
Shortstop Willy Adames hit a ground-rule double to bring center-fielder Harrison Bader to home, and catcher Patrick Bailey scored on a dropped pitch by Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez.
After replacing Mahle, Giants’ pitcher JT Brubaker allowed three runs in the seventh inning, including Alvarez’s second home run of the game, giving the Mets an 8-2 lead.
Alvarez had a strong performance, going 2-for-5 with two home runs and two RBI’s.
Following the Giants’ struggles on the mound, allowing 10 runs on 15 hits, manager Tony Vitello said off nights are part of a long baseball season.
“When you pile up a bunch of reps, anything can happen,” Vitello said. “Anything that’s probability, crazy stuff can happen, but over time it evens out.”
Vitello said the team must stay confident and focused despite poor results.
“Where you really start screwing up the numbers is if you don’t believe in yourself or you take pitches off or you’re not prepared ahead of time or you ignore details,” Vitello said. “Or anything else that strays from being the best version of you, or at least pushing to be the best version of you.”
With the Giants managing just one hit against McLean, Vitello expressed frustration with his team’s performance against top pitchers.
“(We) need to do better. You certainly have to welcome the challenge, and you almost have to be grateful for it,” Vitello said. “If they’re in the big leagues, you’re not going to ease into the season and build up from guys who aren’t capable to guys who are.”
After the weekend, the Giants fell to last place in their division with a 3-7 record.
They will play a three-game series against the Philadelphia Phillies from Monday through Wednesday, followed by another three-game series against the Baltimore Orioles beginning Friday, April 10.
