Nolan McLean Delivers Another Strong Start Despite First Career Loss for Mets

New York Mets rookie pitcher Nolan McLean continued his impressive start to his career, pitching well for a fifth straight outing on Monday against the Phillies. Despite taking his first career loss in a 1-0 defeat, McLean kept Philadelphia off the board for most of the night, allowing only one run on seven hits and three walks over 5.1 innings, striking out five. His ERA remains a superb 1.42. McLean entered the game with a 4-0 record and a 1.36 ERA, joining Fernando Valenzuela (1981) as the only pitchers since 1913 to win their first four starts with a sub-1.50 ERA and 25-plus strikeouts.