Mets RHP Max Scherzer started for the Binghamton Rumble Ponies, the team’s Double-A affiliate, on Tuesday and it was a successful one.

In the first, the Reading Fightin Phils looked overmatched as Scherzer struck out the first two batters he faced, getting both hitters swinging on breaking balls out of the zone.

Josh Ockimey, the third batter in the inning, really made Scherzer work. After getting ahead 1-2, the hitter worked a walk on eight pitches, as Ockimey didn’t bite on the breaking ball. Scherzer would bounce back, getting his third strike out of the inning on five pitches against Logan O'Hoppe.

In the second, Scherzer had an easy 1-2-3 inning. Scherzer got the first two batters to fly out and ground out, respectively, before striking out the final batter to get through his second inning of work without any blemishes.

In the third, Scherzer got behind the leadoff hitter 2-1 but bounced back with back-to-back cutters to pick up his fifth strikeout of the game.

Scherzer would give up his first hit on a double to Kevin Vicuna down the right field line in the third. Vito Friscia followed by launching a fly ball to the outfield, but left fielder Carlos Cortes couldn’t track down the ball as the first run of the game came in on the double.

The future Hall-of-Famer would get out of the inning by getting a ground out and fly out to get through three innings.

After a six-run bottom of the third inning, highlighted by a three-run homer from Francisco Alvarez, Scherzer came back out to start the fourth.

He started quickly, striking out the first batter on three straight pitches. But Scherzer's night ended after giving up a solo shot to Jhailyn Ortiz on an 0-1 slider that got too much of the plate.

Following the no-doubter, Scherzer was pulled after 65 pitches. His final line was: 3.1 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 1 BB and 6 SO.

Scherzer had not pitched a live game since he injured his oblique back on May 18. If he feels good in the days following this start, it's likely that he will rejoin the team and start Sunday against the Miami Marlins.

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