Acce s the Mets beat like never before Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Mike Puma about the inside buzz on the Mets. With le s than two weeks to go and a playoff spot in doubt, the Mets had seen enough of the middle-inning struggles of Clay Holmes and Sean Manaea. Two halves of a starting pitcher were stacked together, the club finally acknowledging it would not extract better versions of the pitchers and would instead attempt to maximize the pitchers they are right now. If this were an announcement that it was time for the team to shift into gear, the offense heard it, too. The piggybacking was effective and the bats even better in in front of 41,819 at Citi Field on Tuesday, Frank Robinson Jersey when the Mets looked like they rarely have in the second half like a playoff team. Its nice to just get things rolling back in the way we want to, said Holmes, whose Mets (78-73) have gone from an eight-game skid to winning two straight to remain 1 / games ahead of the Diamondbacks, who beat the Giants. Explore More With Holmes (four innings of two-run ball) and Manaea (five one-run innings) combining to quiet a solid Padres lineup and spare the bullpen, the Mets got a peek at a tandem that could find its way into a postseason start. In his previous 16 starts, Holmes had recorded just six outs past the fifth inning, which had put a large strain on the bullpen. In Manaeas 10 starts this season, he had recorded just two outs past the fifth inning. Clay Holmes pitches in the third inning of the Mets 8-3 win over the Padres on Sept. 16, 2025. Robert Sabo for NY Post When they were stitched together, though, the Mets bullpen received a rare night off. It may take some creativity, Holmes said after allowing just three hits (two of them solo homers) with one walk in his four innings. It may take some things that dont seem normal I gue s. The bottom line is we all want to win. Sean Manaea pitched behind Clay Holmes in the Mets win over the Padres. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post CHECK OUT THE AND Manaea was willing to embrace the creativity. A $75 million arm who led the Mets through the second half and postseason last year, the left-hander has struggled for length and struggled for effectivene s since returning from the injured list in mid-July. His days of trying to pitch seven or eight innings, at least this season, are over. But what if he can consistently take the ball for four or five innings and unleash everything hes got? Pete Alonso homered in the Mets win over the Padres. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post Being adaptable is a huge a set for situations like this, said Manaea, who allowed a solo homer among four hits and no walks while striking out four. Whatever it takes to help this team win. The Mets are planning to piggyback the two starters again Sunday against the Nationals, although the order Manaea then Holmes could be flipped. The strategy narrows a rotation that had six starting pitchers and provides another avenue toward tackling opposing lineups in the second half of this month and perhaps next month. Delivering insights on all things Amazins Sign up for Inside the Mets by Mike Puma, exclusively on Sports+ Thank you Enter your email addre s Please provide a valid email. By clicking above you agree to the and . Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter! I think we were on the heater right from the start, said Baty, who watched Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso drill homers in the second before Cedric Mullins dinger knocked out King in the fourth. The damage done, the Mets lineup put up its feet and watched two arms and not a third go to work. It was great, Holmes said. We got a win. Bullpen didnt have to pitch. It was a good day. Sam Hentges Jersey