Zack Wheeler turned in seven strong innings and Michael Conforto homered as the Mets topped the Padres, 6-3, on Tuesday night at Citi Field.
For a full box score of the game, click here.
Things you should know about tonight's game...
1) In what could be his final start as a Met, Wheeler (4-6) picked up his second straight win after allowing two runs on four hits and a walk with three strikeouts. He the final 12 batters he faced to complete seven innings for the third time in his last six starts and for the sixth time this season.
2) Devin Mesoraco helped the Mets jump on top in the first with a three-run double and Conforto added two hits, including a two-run shot in the third. Amed Rosario tripled and scored on Asdrubal Cabrera's two-out single in the fourth.
3) Jeff McNeil has a pinch-hit single in the eighth in his first Major League at-bat.
Michael Avallone, SNY.tv | Twitter |
It appears the best thing Zack Wheeler has done for the Mets since his debut in 2013 is pitching himself into a tradable commodity at the upcoming deadline. I mentioned it several times earlier in the year when he began to gain some traction with consistent efforts that we shouldn't have been surprised. It's understandable considering he missed 2015-16, but Wheeler has found himself as a viable and dare I say it, consistent starter.
Truth be told, he's pitched far better than his stats indicate as he's been a victim of the Mets' overall shoddy play, particularly from the bullpen. His newfound split-finger fastball and his heater that has consistently hit 96 mph has coincided to make Wheeler a far more complete pitcher than at any point during his career. Sadly, that success could be a prelude to his departure.
The other positive for the Mets has been the turnaround of Michael Conforto. We've seen some upticks like this before, but in a similar fashion to Wheeler, the Mets' outfielder is returning from an injury and offseason surgery that is anything but run-of-the-mill. Whether he returned too early and got into bad habits or was still regaining strength and mobility, Conforto's first-half struggles were a key component to the Mets' offensive ineptitude. Now could this just be a hot streak soon to be followed by another swoon? Perhaps, but a re-emerging Conforto would be one bright spot in a black hole of a season for New York.
News and notes...
The Mets improved to 9-9 in July and 6-7 in their last 13 games at Citi Field.
Wheeler won consecutive starts for the first time since August 2014. He has completed at least six innings in 14 of his 19 starts this season, including 12 of his last 15. Wheeler has a 3.35 ERA in his last seven starts.
Conforto is 7-for-14 (.500) with a homer, six RBIs and five runs scored in four games since the All-Star break. He is batting .417 (10-for-24) with three roundtrippers and nine RBIs in his last eight games.
Rosario is hitting .333 (14-for-42) with four triples, three doubles and six runs in his last 12 games.
Prior to the game, the Mets recalled Phillip Evans and McNeil from Triple-A Las Vegas. They placed Yoenis Cespedes on the 10-day disabled list and designated Ty Kelly for assignment.
What's next...
The Mets (41-57) will try and win their first series in 18 tries in the finale against the Padres (42-62) on Wednesday afternoon at Citi Field at 1 p.m. on SNY.
Corey Oswalt (0-2, 5.64 ERA/5.08 FIP, 15 K, 0.985 WHIP) brings a 3.60 ERA in his previous three starts into the series finale. The 24-year-old surrendered one run and two hits over five innings during a no-decision against the Nationals on July 15. Oswalt has never faced the Padres.
Clayton Richard (7-9, 4.82 ERA/4.59 FIP, 95 Ks, 1.346 WHIP) looks to rebound after surrendering seven runs in three innings against the Phillies last Friday. The southpaw has a 7.00 ERA in his previous five starts and has not won since June 22. Richard allowed three runs over 6 2/3 innings in his only career start against the Mets on April 27.