For the second consecutive outing, Mets pitching prospect Nolan McLean struck out double-digit batters in a start for Triple-A Syracuse.
Six days after fanning 10 over 5.0 innings for the first time in his career, McLean did it again on Wednesday night.
This time, the right-hander went six scoreless innings against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, the Philadelphia Phillies' Triple-A affiliate, and allowed just three hits and three walks while striking out 10 on 97 pitches (62 strikes).
Now at 95 strikeouts through 87 innings pitched between Double-A and Triple-A, McLean is starting to show some elite swing-and-miss stuff in what has already been a breakout season for him.
Before these last two starts, the most strikeouts the 23-year-old had in a game this year was eight, which happened twice, both of which came while pitching for Binghamton. He struck out seven in his first start for Syracuse, but never had more than six in any other outing before his last two.
Wednesday's start was also the first time McLean allowed no earned runs since May 22, although he's allowed two earned runs or fewer in nine straight outings.
McLean came away with a no-decision, exiting the game in a scoreless tie. However, with Syracuse down 1-0 in the bottom of the ninth, prospect Drew Gilbert hit a game-tying single before Joey Meneses walked it off with a single of his own.
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