Nolan McLean’s seven strong innings and Jared Young’s three RBI power Mets to 6-2 win over Astros

The Mets struck again against the Houston Astros on Saturday, winning 6-2 in the second game of a three-game series at Citi Field. New York built the result around pitching control and a steady offensive push, turning what could have been a closer contest into a comfortable win.

Nolan McLean continued his push for National League Rookie of the Year consideration with another standout outing. The right-hander worked seven innings, surrendered only two hits, and gave up a single run that was unearned. He also issued three walks and finished with four strikeouts, then collected his 10th win of the season. The performance lowered his ERA to 3.06.

Houston was able to reach McLean, but the Mets limited the damage through a mix of efficiency and defense, and the Astros could not put together the kind of rally that would force the game into late-inning leverage. McLean’s ability to keep runners from turning into runs was central to the Mets’ ability to set the tempo early.

Offensively, Jared Young drove in three runs, giving the Mets a direct answer every time Houston threatened to tighten the margin. With run production coming from multiple paths rather than one prolonged inning, New York was able to keep building its cushion instead of simply surviving Astros pressure.

A key to the Mets’ win was the balance between run prevention and run creation. McLean’s seven innings provided length, while Young’s three RBI ensured the Mets were not dependent on one big swing. Together, those two elements reduced the number of high-leverage plate appearances the Mets had to lean on late.

For the Astros, the loss meant another step in a series where each game has mattered for momentum and bullpen usage. For the Mets, the result adds to a growing body of evidence that their current run prevention and younger talent are combining in meaningful ways, particularly with pitchers who can give the rotation minutes and keep the opponent’s scoring limited.

Looking ahead, the focus for New York is sustaining the form that has carried them through this series, especially McLean’s ability to translate command into outs without sacrificing innings. For Houston, the priority will be generating more consistent damage against the Mets’ starters and turning early baserunners into runs instead of leaving opportunities stranded.