New York Mets starter Max Scherzer pitched for seven innings giving up a hit and one run against the San Francisco Giants in the second game of a doubleheader at Citi Field in New York on Tue Apr 19, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Jessica Kwong

NEW YORK — The San Francisco Giants (7-3) fell to the New York Mets (8-3) in both games of a doubleheader at a frigid (44 degrees) Citi Field on Tuesday.

The Giants lost 5-4 in an extra inning in Game 1, and could not get in a swing and lost 3-1 in Game 2 of the doubleheader owed to Monday’s game postponement due to rain.

San Francisco started Game 1 strong with two runs in the second inning and two runs in the third inning. In the fifth inning, the Mets scored back-to-back doubles to cut the Giants’ lead to 4-3. In the second of those, Giants starting pitcher Alex Cobb injured his right groin. He has been placed on the 10-day injured list, but hopes for a quick return.

“That was a brutal game for us,” Cobb said. “Having two nine-inning doubleheaders and then the starter coming out as early as I did, is putting the team in a bad position, so, you know, whatever they need to do.”

The Mets’ Pete Alonso made a key defensive play in the tenth inning and Francisco Lindor hit a walk-off RBI single to secure a 5-4 victory over the Giants. Initially, it appeared that San Francisco hit a go-ahead run on an error at the top of the tenth inning. After review, however, the close call was overturned and the top half of the inning ended.

New York fans were very vocal in Game 2, cheering on their team as they scored three runs in the third inning, despite cold temperatures in Queens.

Mets starter Max Scherzer nearly finished the night with a no-hitter. He had two outs in the sixth inning and gave up one hit. Scherzer struck out ten in seven innings, leading the Mets to a 3-1 victory over the Giants.

Giants starting pitcher Logan Webb said he did not have a good feel for the ball, with the cold likely playing a role.

“It was cold out there. I was trying to rub up the ball as much as I could,” said Webb, but added he did not want to use it as an excuse.

Webb suffered his first loss since May 5, putting an end to his franchise record of consecutive undefeated outings at 24, including a pair in the postseason.

“I wish I could’ve kept it going. It’s cool, definitely, to be able to say I was able to do that,” Webb said. “I think I’ll be alright. It was just a bad day. Unfortunately I needed to give the guys some innings and I wasn’t able to do that.”

Giants manager Gabe Kapler said the Mets beat one of the best pitchers in the league, and that the loss hardly damages Webb’s impressive record thus far.

“When you reflect back on who this young pitcher has been since May of last year, he’s one of the best pitchers in baseball,” Kapler said. “But now this is not just a run, it’s who he is. And we expect that performance from him going forward.”

The Giants (7-4) lost consecutive games for the first time this season. The Mets (9-3) swept a doubleheader from the Giants for the first time since July 13, 1079 at Shea Stadium.

First pitch for Game 3 of the four-game series is at 4:10 p.m. PT.