The Mets secured a series win against the Texas Rangers on Wednesday night, winning by a score of 7-2.

Here are the key takeaways...

-- In his final start of his rookie season, Nolan McLean looked like he was on his way to something special after retiring the first 12 batters he faced on just 43 pitches. However, a Brandon Nimmo single to lead off the fifth inning put history to rest.

-- A groundout advanced Nimmo to second and a single by Jake Burger ended McLean’s shutout bid and cut New York’s lead to 2-1. After finding an opening, the Rangers did not let up and loaded the bases on the right-hander following a single and a walk.

With his back against the wall, McLean got Evan Carter to ground one to second base, but the Mets couldn’t turn the double play thanks to Carter’s speed and Texas tied the game. Still in trouble, McLean finally ended the inning with a popout, leaving two runners in scoring position.

-- The rocky fifth inning took McLean 26 pitches to complete and came out of nowhere. In fact, before the game manager Andy Green was asked about the rookie’s season and talked about wanting McLean to work on limiting those innings where he’s forced to work a ton.

To McLean’s credit, he did manage to keep what could’ve been a big inning to just two runs and then went back out in the sixth inning and needed just five pitches to get through the frame. The right-hander ended his outing by retiring the side in order in the seventh inning on just eight pitches.

-- Overall, McLean allowed two runs on three hits and one walk while striking out five on 82 pitches (52 strikes). Aside from the fifth inning, the youngster pitched six perfect innings in what was another fantastic start and ends his season with a 3.16 ERA in 31 starts.

-- McLean left in a tie game but his teammates picked him up as Marcus Semien made the right-hander the pitcher of record on the long side (12-10) with a solo home run with two outs in the eighth against his former team which put New York ahead, 3-2.

The Mets’ only other offense prior to that came in the third inning off the bat of Juan Soto who demolished an 0-1 changeup from Cody Bradford for a two-run shot.

-- The Rangers learned their lesson after that and intentionally walked Soto three times later in the game, twice to load the bases – seldom seen. Both times it worked, though, as Bo Bichette ended the inning by making an out.

The last time, however, came back to bite Texas. With New York up by a run in the top of the ninth and a runner on second with two outs, the Rangers intentionally walked Soto and then walked Bichette after a tough at-bat. With the bases loaded, pinch-hitter Brett Baty, who has been on a tear to end the season, hit a no-doubt grand slam off Trevor Williams that went 455 feet and blew the game wide open.

Over his last 30 games, Baty is slashing .348/.439/.609 (1.048 OPS).

-- Devin Williams made his first appearance since re-joining the team from the IL, entering in the eighth inning of a one-run game at the time and pitching a perfect inning with a strikeout.

Game MVP: Nolan McLean

Baty's grand slam will capture the headlines, but McLean showed his mettle and ended his rookie season on a high note.

Here are the key takeaways...

Game MVP: Nolan McLean

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