STEEL WHEELS
Not even liner to chest can keep Zack from 10th win
LOS ANGELES — Despite a chest contusion that necessitated a postgame X-ray and CT scan, Mets starter Zack Wheeler was not about to call it a day after a 91-mph comebacker hit him square in the midsection.
Wheeler gave up a two-run home run to Max Muncy three pitches after he was hit by Justin Turner’s comebacker in the fourth inning, but he still went seven sharp innings to lead the Mets over the Dodgers, 7-3, Wednesday.
The CT scan was considered more of a precaution, according to Mickey Callaway, and the X-ray was negative. A positive was yet another impressive outing from Wheeler, even if he did allow three earned runs, ending his run of eight consecutive outings with two earned runs or less.
Callaway considered the comebacker to the chest and the Muncy home run to be connected.
“It definitely can (be),” Callaway said. “You’re kind of rattled a little bit and he had some trouble catching his breath for a second. It can definitely come into play, but he settled down and finished the game. He was a little tight at the end of the game so it was a good thing he was out of pitches.”
Wheeler was unavailable for comment afterward as he was off getting his scan before the team boarded its cross-country flight back to New York in advance of today’s off day. Max Muncy and Cody Bellinger homered for the playoffcontending Dodgers, who lost for third time in their past 12 games. Los Angeles finished with three hits.
Wilmer Flores had a pair of RBI singles and Amed Rosario got three hits for the Mets, who went 5-4 on their road trip to Wrigley Field, San Francisco and Los Angeles.
PLAWECKI SENT FOR CT SCAN
Wheeler was not the only Mets player to receive a postgame CT scan. Catcher Kevin Plawecki also got one on his ribs after he was hit by a pitch in the eighth inning.
WRIGHT UPDATE
David Wright, who hasn’t played a game since 2016 due to a series of injuries, will continue his rehab in Flushing with a workout Friday and a simulated game Saturday at Citi Field.