The Mets owe David Peterson a debt. With the rotation teetering (to put things gently), Peterson provided a steadying force Thursday at Citi Field, pitching into the seventh inning of a 3-2 win over t

Brandon Nimmo homered again, Juan Soto came through with a tiebreaking single and the New York Mets held off the Milwaukee Brewers 3-2 on Thursday night. David Peterson (6-4) rebounded from a pair of rough starts, tossing 6 2/3 effective innings to give New York's injury-ravaged rotation a much-needed boost.

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, and Mark Vientos’ throw was too late on an infield single that tied the game.

That the Mets are asking this much out of their leverage relievers, each in back-to-back appearances no less, in early July spells out what has become clearer and clearer this past week. The Mets cannot afford to wait until the trade deadline to make a move.