Var’ better!
Resurgent vet lefty earns 3rd straight victory
CHICAGO — Jason Vargas isn’t going to catch Jacob deGrom in the ERA race, but his improvement has been dramatic.
The veteran lefty gave the Mets a fourth straight solid start Wednesday, when he limited the Cubs to one earned run on four hits over 5 ¹/3 innings in a 10-3 victory at Wrigley Field.
Over his last four starts Vargas has pitched to a 1.99 ERA (which is certainly deGrom-like). Overall, Vargas has pitched to a 6.56 ERA, after a dreadful start to the season.
“It’s definitely nice going into your week of work knowing there are things you have to build on and there is a rhythm you are able to establish,” Vargas said.
And against a premier lineup, Vargas didn’t buckle.
“They won a championship a couple of years ago and a lot of those guys are still here,” Vargas said. “Pitching well against good teams, when you have a good one against a real good team you definitely think about it a little bit.”
The Mets will keep their rotation intact through the off day, allowing deGrom to receive extra rest and pitch Monday at Dodger Stadium. Zack Wheeler, Steven Matz and Noah Syndergaard are lined up to pitch in San Francisco beginning Friday night.
➤ The Mets remain open to trading Jerry Blevins and Devin Mesoraco before Friday’s deadline for postseason eligibility, but aren’t receiving much interest in either player, according to sources. Earlier this week the Mets sent Jose
Bautista to the Phillies in a waiver deal for a player to be named later or cash.
➤ Robert Gsellman was available to pitch in an emergency situation after returning from a strep infection that had returned him to the team hotel the previous night.
➤ The Mets snapped a nine-game losing streak against the Cubs. ... Austin Jackson finished 2- for-5 in the series finale and reached base seven times in the three games. The veteran outfielder is 37-for-114 (.325) since joining the Mets on July 27 and has provided the club with solid defense in center field.