Mets' Freddy Peralta optimistic despite five-game skid

Things are spiraling for the New York Mets. 

The Mets were swept by the Athletics over the weekend, scoring just six runs in the series, all of which came in Game 2's 11-6 loss. New York has now lost five in a row and sit in the basement of the NL East.

The Mets' lack of offense cost them a solid pitching performance from right-hander Freddy Peralta on Sunday, who gave up four hits and one run across six innings of work. The two-time All-Star explained that the Mets are better than they have been. 

Freddy Peralta knows the Mets are “better” than they have been playing

"We are way better than this. We have a great team, and we believe in each other,” Peralta said to SNY Mets after Sunday’s loss. “I know that we're going to do better. We love each other - we're going to keep pushing hard to be better and win some games."

The Athletics' lone run scored on Sunday was a solo home run hit by first baseman Nick Kurtz in the top of the third inning. Unfortunately for Peralta and the Mets, the offense was unable to push even a single run across the plate.

Freddy Peralta hasn't pitched like an “ace” this season despite the lofty haul the Mets gave up for him

Across four starts to begin this season, Peralta has done well but hasn't pitched like an ace. Peralta is 1-1 with a 3.86 ERA and has struck out 25 hitters in 21.0 innings. Sunday afternoon's outing against the Athletics was the first time in his four starts that Peralta went six innings. 

The Mets gave up right-hander Brandon Sproat and infield prospect Jett Williams (MLB No. 48 prospect) to acquire Peralta and right-hander Tobias Myers. The 29-year-old Peralta is in the last season of his five-year ($15.5 million) contract, which Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns signed him to while with the Milwaukee Brewers. 

Peralta has time to get himself going to pitch like he did last season — 17-6 with a 2.70 ERA and 204 strikeouts in a career-high 176.2 innings. If Peralta can get back to his ace-like form, the Mets' starting rotation will be in a great place, as rookie right-hander Nolan McLean — 1-1 with a 2.70 ERA in three starts — has also emerged as a potential ace for the Mets.