The Mets avoided the sweep -- and going under .500 -- by defeating the Brewers, 5-2, at Citi Field on Sunday. >> Box score
Five things to know about Sunday's game...
1) Steven Matz was brilliant for six-plus innings and only faltered at the end of his outing. He'd delivered six scoreless frames before Mike Moustakas took him deep to right-center field for a two-out, two-run blast that evened the game at 2. The lefty struck out four and didn't issue a walk. He now sports a 3.68 ERA, but aside from his debacle in Philadelphia, Matz has yielded six earned runs across his other five starts (29 1/3 innings).
2) While Matz did most of the heavy lifting, Seth Lugo and Edwin Diaz took care of business for the bullpen. Lugo struck out the side -- all looking -- in the eighth and Diaz shut the door with a 1-2-3 ninth for his eighth save of the season. The bullpen hasn't been completely solid for the Mets early on in 2019, but Diaz continued his excellence, and Lugo turned in an outing that served as a reminder why he's probably the third most important piece in the bullpen behind Diaz and Jeurys Familia.
3) Amed Rosario has shown consistent power to the opposite field during his young career and this weekend was no different. After belting a solo shot to right-center Saturday, the shorstop drilled an RBI double to plate Brandon Nimmo and make it 2-0 Mets in the second. Facing Brewers starter Gio Gonzalez, who jumped out to an 0-2 advantage against him, Rosario relied on his comfort going the other way and supplied more run production. Rosario later scored the go-ahead run in the seventh on J.D. Davis' RBI, pinch-hit single.
4) The big news out of Mets land Sunday was that Travis d'Arnaud had been designated for assignment. Recalling Tomas Nido from Triple-A Syracuse was the corresponding move, and he immediately had a chance to deliver in a big spot. Manager Mickey Callaway sent him to pinch hit with the bases loaded and two outs in the eight. On a 1-1 offering from Aaron Wilkerson, Nido roped a two-run double to right to add insurance runs and make it 5-2.
5) For the second straight Sunday, Robinson Cano exited after being hit by a pitch on the hand. Last week, against the Cardinals, it was his right hand. This time around, it was his left one. Initial X-Rays came back negative, but he's not totally out of the woods yet -- the Mets will conduct more tests Monday when the swelling reduces.
Highlights
Video: Amed Rosario lines an RBI double to score Nimmo
Video: WATCH: J.D. Davis drives in go-ahead run in 7th
What's next
The Mets start a four-game series against the Reds on Monday at home. RHP Zack Wheeler will oppose Cincinnati RHP Tanner Roark.