Mets starter dominates the Marlins. Can this get him back on track?

Luis Severino was a bit depressed on Saturday.

The New York Mets right-hander had lost his last three games, allowing 15 runs (14 earned) and 20 hits in 13 innings pitched, resulting in a 9.69 ERA. For the first time since March 30, Severino had an ERA above 4, namely 4.17.

But 30-year-old Severino responded to this phase with one of the best performances of his career.

Against the Miami Marlins, the nine-year veteran was absolutely sensational, holding out the entire time and allowing just four hits and no runs. In the second shutout of his career and the first since 2018, Severino struck out eight batters and allowed just one free throw in the Mets' 4-0 win at Citi Field. It was the Mets' first shutout since Jacob deGrom threw one on April 23, 2021.

The right-hander threw 113 pitches in wet, rainy weather; although he was already efficient in the first five innings, throwing 61 pitches, a complete game became a real possibility for Severino after remarkably fast sixth and seventh innings. He threw just four pitches in the sixth inning, getting three groundouts, including a sensational play by third baseman Mark Vientos that robbed Xavier Edwards of a bunt single. Severino needed just 10 pitches to end the seventh inning, which ended with a Brandon Nimmo pike catch in left field that robbed Kyle Stowers of the ball.

But Severino struggled in the eighth inning, which left him with 97 pitches. He needed eight pitches to strike out Vidal Brujan before losing a nine-pitch battle to Nick Fortes, who hit a double. But he escaped by striking out Edwards on two pitches and grounding himself.

Between the middle of the Mets' eighth and the beginning of the ninth inning, the 30-year-old spoke with manager Carlos Mendoza, who was considering moving to the bullpen but was still willing to keep Severino in so he could complete his masterpiece.

“He told me, 'Are you feeling OK? Don't be the hero here, we need you,'” Severino said of the conversation with his captain.[I told him]”I feel good. There were a lot of innings where I threw six pitches, so I wasn't tired. And when he gave me the chance in the ninth, I gave it my all and that's what I did.”

Severino started the ninth inning by hitting Jake Burger with his first pitch, prompting Mendoza to come to the mound. Instead of a pitcher change, however, it was just a simple visit to the mound; teammate Francisco Lindor told the right-hander to stay confident when talking to Mendoza.

“When he came out, Lindor told me he's not here yet. Convince him that you feel ready and good,” Severino said. “I said [Mendoza] to give me one hitter at a time, and that's what we did. We made some good pitches and got out of the inning.”

Ultimately, Mendoza kept Severino in the game as the Citi Field crowd cheered enthusiastically. With his manager, teammates and fans behind him, Severino threw 13 more pitches; he struck out Jesus Sanchez, got Jonah Bride to jump up in foul territory and ended the game by getting Derek Hill to chase a slider in the dirt. The stadium erupted in cheers as the 30-year-old let out his signature “Sevy yell.”

“It was amazing,” Severino said of the fans chanting his name. “It was really fun to go out there and compete for that fan base. They gave me a little bit of strength to go out there and compete for everybody. When I heard my name out there, I was where I needed to be.”

Severino's brilliant performance improved the Mets' record to 64-59, and they are now just one game behind rivals Atlanta Braves and occupy the final wild card spot in the NL.