A good start can do a lot.

It can provide cover for holes in the bullpen.

It can serve as camouflage for an offense that is not hitting on all cylinders.

The Mets had not enjoyed one of those good starts since David Peterson was pitching like the Peterson who was making a strong case for an All-Star Game nod in the first two and a half months of the season.

On Thursday, that Peterson reappeared and reminded that the biggest difference between the sailing Mets and the free-falling Mets has been a rotation that had fallen apart over the past few weeks.

After two consecutive duds, Peterson was once again excellent and lengthy in guiding the Mets to a series-clinching and well-played 3-2 victory over the Brewers in front of a loud, sellout crowd of 42,241 at Citi Field.

The Mets (50-38) finally won a series — their first since a June 10-12 sweep of the Nationals — and pulled out just a fifth victory in their past 19 games.

“It’s huge,” manager Carlos Mendoza said of the distance he received from Peterson, who helped build momentum for the Queens portion of the Subway Series that begins Friday. “We haven’t been able to get that consistently.”

Among the many issues facing the Mets, the largest has been a rotation that has been battered by injuries and opposing batters.

David Peterson, who allowed two runs in 6²/₃ innings, throws a pitch during the Mets’ win over the Brewers on July 3, 2025. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

Before Peterson battled for 6 ²/₃ innings Thursday, Mendoza had not seen his starting pitcher survive six innings since … Peterson went seven innings in Atlanta on June 17.

From June 18 through Wednesday, the Mets’ rotation posted a 5.96 ERA that was the third worst in MLB while tallying 54 ¹/₃ innings, the third least.

Included in that stretch were two Peterson starts, one in Philadelphia and one in Pittsburgh, across which he allowed 10 runs in 8 ²/₃ innings.

Since his previous start, Peterson said he fixed mechanical issues that were “out of whack” and allowed him to repeat his delivery better.

Pete Alonso celebrates after hitting the go-ahead double in the sixth inning of the Mets’ win over the
Brewers on July 3, 2025. Robert Sabo for New York Post

The work bore out as he allowed two runs (one earned) while scattering five hits, walking three, striking out four and inducing ground balls at will, including a pair for double plays, against a solid Milwaukee offense.

Getting quick outs and occasionally two outs at a time helps a pitcher pitch deeper into games, all the more important considering the Mets have five starters on the injured list and a makeshift rotation around Peterson.

And all the more important considering the bullpen carousel is spinning at full speed, the Mets bringing up three pitchers from Triple-A Syracuse for the night after Wednesday’s doubleheader.

Juan Soto rips an RBI single during the sixth inning of the Mets’ win over the Brewers. Robert Sabo for New York Post

“Everyone in the ballpark knew how thin we were back there,” Mendoza said of a bullpen that only required excellence from Ryne Stanek (a perfect 1 ¹/₃ innings, including three strikeouts) and Edwin Díaz (18th save).

“Being able to go as deep as I can and pass it off to Stanek and Díaz — it was a good night,” said Peterson, who watched the big bats in the Mets’ offense do enough to ensure his work mattered.

Brandon Nimmo lasered a homer for a second straight day to seize a lead in the second inning, an edge that disappeared on an unearned run in the fourth.

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Rhys Hoskins lined directly to second baseman Brett Baty, who went to his knees and watched the ball graze off his glove for an error.

With two outs and runners on the corners, Caleb Durbin hit a slow roller that just got by Peterson for an infield single that tied the game.

But the Mets went ahead to stay with a two-run sixth, when the top of the order — new-look leadoff hitter Starling Marte, Francisco Lindor, Juan Soto and Pete Alonso — stitched together four straight hits, Soto’s single and Alonso’s double off the wall in left-center driving in the runs.

Brandon Nimmo belts a solo homer in the second inning of the Mets’ win over the Brewers. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

In a one-run game in the ninth, Christian Yelich singled off Díaz and got a good jump in attempting to swipe second base.

But a quick exchange and perfect throw from Luis Torrens that was “right there,” Mendoza said, combined with a tag from Lindor that Torrens called “phenomenal” — Lindor catching the ball with his glove on Yelich — helped the Mets out of potential trouble.

“It’s a good series win,” Mendoza said after a clincher that started and finished well.