Mets Dominate Early and Never Look Back in Commanding Win Over Diamondbacks
Eduardo Rodriguez Struggles as New York Offense Fires on All Cylinders

A Brutal Beginning for Arizona
Tuesday night at Citi Field turned sour quickly for the Arizona Diamondbacks as the New York Mets launched a first-inning ambush that set the tone for the entire game. Veteran left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez, once seen as a foundational piece of Arizona’s rotation, was overwhelmed early and often. A four-run second inning, punctuated by Francisco Lindor’s towering two-run homer, put the Mets firmly in control before the Diamondbacks had time to respond.

The Home Run Parade Continues
Rodriguez’s troubles didn’t stop there. In the third inning, Starling Marte added to the onslaught with a two-run blast of his own. The Mets weren’t done — Pete Alonso launched a solo shot in the fourth inning that made it 8-0. Citi Field was electric, and the scoreboard told a story of complete dominance.

Rodriguez exited with a disastrous line: 4 innings pitched, 9 hits, 8 earned runs, 3 home runs, and just 1 strikeout. His ERA ballooned to 6.06, raising serious questions about his long-term role in the rotation.

The Big Contract That Keeps Haunting Arizona
When the Diamondbacks signed Rodriguez to a four-year, $80 million contract ahead of the 2024 season, they envisioned stability and leadership. Instead, he has posted a 5.44 ERA across 16 starts since joining the team, struggling to find consistency and command. His performance is now being compared unfavorably to other high-priced disappointments like Madison Bumgarner and Jordan Montgomery — a trend the franchise had hoped was in the past.

Early Inning Woes Plague the Diamondbacks Again
The Diamondbacks’ trend of slow starts continued to hurt them. With 48 runs allowed in the first and second innings this season — the most in Major League Baseball — Arizona constantly finds itself in a hole. The -17 run differential in those innings highlights a troubling pattern that their offense simply cannot keep bailing out.

Flashes of Mets Defensive Brilliance
While the offense made headlines, the Mets defense also put on a clinic. Pete Alonso made three diving stops to deny Arizona any early momentum. Francisco Lindor’s heroics continued on the field, with slick plays in the infield and sharp throws to first. In the third inning, Tyrone Taylor’s diving grab robbed Lourdes Gurriel Jr. of extra bases, and Lindor capped the frame with a bullet grounder turned into an inning-ending out.

Too Little Too Late for Arizona
The D-backs showed some fight late, scoring three runs across the final five innings. Jorge Barrosa had a solid outing with a double and an RBI groundout, while Randal Grichuk and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. also contributed with extra-base hits. Still, Arizona finished the game just 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position, highlighting their ongoing struggles in key situations.

Ryne Nelson Shines in Relief and Hints at Change
A bright spot for Arizona came in the form of Ryne Nelson. The 26-year-old right-hander entered in the fifth and delivered four scoreless, hitless innings, throwing 69 pitches — 44 for strikes. As Rodriguez and other veteran starters continue to stumble, Nelson’s case for a starting role grows stronger with every outing.

A Critical Test Awaits in Game Two
Arizona will hope to stop the bleeding in Game Two of the series on Wednesday evening. Zac Gallen, the team’s ace, will take the mound and try to deliver a much-needed quality start. New York plans to counter with left-hander Brandon Waddell, who is expected to handle the bulk of the innings.

First pitch is set for 7:10 PM EST as both teams look to shape their early-season narratives — one chasing redemption, the other aiming to build on a dominant performance.