Mariners’ Paul Sewald enjoys silencing Mets fans in return

Getting booed by the fans at Citi Field is nothing new for Paul Sewald. That is why shutting them up on Friday evening felt so good. 

Sewald, who was drafted by the Mets in 2012 and spent his first 4 seasons in the massive leagues taking part in for them, returned to Citi Field on Friday evening with the Mariners. He entered the sport in the seventh inning to boos from the Mets’ fans and, with runners on second and third in a 1-1 sport, received Starling Marte to strike out. He returned in the eighth inning after the Mariners took a 2-1 lead and received three outs, together with a strikeout of Eduardo Escobar to finish the inning. 

“I had a lot of positive moments here and unfortunately too many negative moments when I was a Met,” Sewald mentioned earlier than the groups performed Saturday evening. “That’s type of why I’m not anymore. [Friday night] was emotional. The fans weren’t the largest fans of mine once I was right here so to do it in entrance of them, particularly after they booed me coming in, it was a little bit additional motivation, a little bit bit additional pleasure. Nothing towards New York fans, they’re very passionate. When issues are going nicely, they’re the very best fans to have. When they’re not going so nicely, they’re powerful on you. 

“It just felt good to do it in this stadium where I grew up as a pitcher.” 

The Mets non-tendered Sewald after the 2020 season and he signed with Seattle. It was onerous to argue with the Mets’ resolution. Sewald had a 5.50 career ERA with the Mets and went 1-14 in 125 video games. 

When he got here off the mound Friday, he set free a scream and it was clear what the efficiency meant to him. 

“It was 18 months coming,” Sewald instructed Mariners reporters on Friday evening. “They removed me, and I hoped that I might stand up right here and pitch towards them. It’s fairly good to do it very well and assist our crew get the win for it. 

“They gave up on me, and so it’s pretty nice to get a little revenge today. Most importantly, we got a win.” 

Sewald has turned his career round in Seattle. He started this season by retiring every of the primary 18 batters he confronted in his first six appearances. He went 10-3 with 11 saves and a 3.06 ERA final year. 

“I’m just a different guy,” Sewald mentioned. “No more sinkers, no more in and out, no more changeups. It’s just all fastballs at the top and sweeping sliders. I have two different pitches than I did when I was here. If I would have had these pitches when I was in New York, I would have been a great reliever in New York. It wasn’t a Seattle thing. I changed who I was as a pitcher and it coincided with the time that I switched from playing for the Mets to playing for the Mariners.”