New York Mets stay alive behind Jacob deGrom, force Game 3

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Jacob deGrom pondered his future on Saturday. With free agency looming and the San Diego Padres taking Game 1 of the National League Wild Card Series, deGrom said he went into his start in Game 2 knowing that if he didn't pitch well, it could be the last time he pitched in New York.

The hope was that we would win a baseball game and continue to play.

He gave up five hits and two runs on two walks with eight strikeouts in the Mets win. The win guaranteed that deGrom would have at least one more day to wear a Mets uniform on Sunday night when the Padres and Mets play Game 3.

DeGrom started the game throwing 12 pitches over 99 mph and 7 over 100 mph. The top of the Padres' lineup was retired by him, and he struck out the two big hitters. deGrom relied on his fastball, which reached 100 mph on 19 of his 99 pitches, as well as his slider and changeup, and threw his curve twice. His pitches were often strikes.

Trent Grisham hit a home run for the second night in a row as the Padres scored two runs off deGrom.

DeGrom said that he felt like that was a good pitch and that Trent just got to it.

After deGrom walked Grisham to start the fifth, the Padres tied the game on a single by Jurickson Profar. Profar had six pitches in his at-bat.

"That's the one I wish I would've thrown," deGrom said. I just threw too many in a row to him and he kept one fair.

DeGrom said he had a good outing in the last half of the game.

DeGrom said that the pitch was good and that he threw it to the first baseman. They weren't quite the height I wanted them to be early on. I felt like I made an adjustment in the sixth and I felt great.

After deGrom left the game, Mets manager Buck Showalter made an unusual choice to bring in a new closer.

Grisham hit the ground before Nola hit the middle. Profar and Soto were the first two to ground out.

The pitcher came back for the eighth. He struck out Jake Cronenworth after walking Josh Bell. Showalter came to the mound to make room for Adam Ottavino, who struck out Drury.

Showalter said he didn't want to have the pitcher finish the game.

They were in the batting order. Showalter said that he wasn't planning on throwing a thirdinning with the pitcher. I would think about it if he had a couple of eight-pitches.

Showalter said he needed the man to be available for Game 3 on Sunday, even though he asked him to stay in the contest.

I was happy. He told me that he needed me tomorrow and that was enough for today. I told them to win the game tomorrow.