AROUND THE HORN
Mets: Jeff McNeil welcomed Robert Dugger to the major leagues with a HR on his first pitch, Jacob deGrom gave himself a cushion with a two-run single off the 24-year-old rookie and the Mets beat the visiting Marlins 6-2 in the opener of a twi-night doubleheader to reach .500 for the first time since late May. Amed Rosario broke a 1-1 tie with a third-inning homer off Dugger (0-1), brought up by the Marlins despite a 9.34 ERA in seven starts at Triple A. The Marlins’ Isan Diaz also had a memorable HR, connecting off deGrom in the sixth inning of his big league debut for his first hit. DeGrom (7-7) struck out eight in seven innings, allowing two runs and five hits. Other than the HR, he retired 15 of his last 16 batters. The Mets were 40-51 after losing their first game of second half but were 16-5 since ahead of the nightcap, having won 10 of their last 11. The Mets trailed by eight games for the second NL wild card before play July 25 but started the doubleheader just three games back . ... Eight-time All-Star 2B Robinson Cano went back on the IL, a day after straining his left hamstring in a victory over the Pirates. The Mets didn’t have a prognosis for the 36-yearold, who was limited to one game between May 22 and June 16 because of a strained left quadriceps. He’s hitting .252 with 10 HRs and 32 RBIs.
■ Red Sox: Three-time All-Star slugger J.D. Martinez was scratched from the lineup against the visiting Royals due to back tightness. “It’s been acting up, a little bit tight,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said of Martinez’s back. “This morning he felt it, got treatment, so we’re going to stay away from him.” With Martinez, the club’s usual cleanup hitter out, Christian Vazquez was moved into the DH spot and batted sixth. Andrew Benintendi was slotted fourth in the order. Martinez is batting .299 with 24 HRs and 65 RBIs. ■ Rays: RHP Yonny Chirinos was placed on the IL with right middle finger inflammation and is expected to miss at least a month. Chirinos (9-5, 3.62 ERA) is the third Rays starting pitcher on the IL. 2018 AL Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell has been out since July 22 with bone chips in his left elbow that required surgery. Tyler Glasnow started the season 6-1 before being sidelined May 10 due to a right forearm strain. The Rays haven’t ruled out all three returning in September. The team currently has Charlie Morton and twoway rookie Brendan McKay in its rotation. Ryan Yarbrough and Jalen Beeks have thrown multiple innings out of the bullpen when the team used a reliever as an opener.
■ Braves: RHP Mike Foltynewicz will return to the rotation for the NL East leaders Tuesday after getting demoted to the minors. He’ll start against the AL Central-leading Twins at Target Field. A 13-game winner and an All-Star for the Braves in 2018, he struggled to regain that form after battling elbow trouble in spring training. He was sent to Triple A on June 22 after going 2-5 with a 6.37 ERA in 11 starts.