Cespedes powers Mets
San Diego — Yoenis Cespedes hit a big league homer — and one of the Little League variety to help power the New York Mets to another victory. Yoenis Cespedes hit a big league homer — and one of the Little League variety to help power the New York Mets to another victory.
Cespedes had three RBIs and finished a single shy of the cycle as the Mets beat the San Diego Padres 6-4 to win for the sixth time in seven games.
Cespedes' check-swing triple in the seventh inning was the difference. Facing reliever Phil Maton, Cespedes punched a pitch down the right-field line with Curtis Granderson aboard after an inning-opening single. Granderson scored and Cespedes followed him home on Wil Myers' throwing error for a 6-4 lead.
It was the Mets' third "Little League homer" — one aided by errors — since the All-Star break.
"I really wanted to hold the swing back, but I couldn't," Cespedes said through a translator.
Cespedes exited the game after running the bases with a sore quadriceps, which isn't considered serious.
Myers' errant throw was fielded by left fielder Jose Pirela, and he had a chance to get Cespedes at the plate.
"So we send Granderson and I pick up Ces and I thought they had a play on him, which they did," Mets manager Terry Collins said. "On the overthrow, the left fielder did a great job backing him up, but Ces just had a good slide."
Seth Lugo (5-2) went at least six innings for his third straight start, which has produced two wins. He surrendered four runs — three earned — and eight hits. He struck out one.
"Overall, I had a pretty good bad day," Lugo said.
Addison Reed pitched the ninth for his 12th straight save and 18th in 20 chances. But he allowed an RBI double to Dusty Coleman, who got his first major league hit.
Jose Torres (5-3), who worked 1 2/3 innings, took the loss.
Kyle Lloyd made his major league debut after being summoned from Triple-A El Paso. He pitched four-plus innings and was charged with four runs and six hits. He walked two and struck out two.
"Some of the hits that fell in were definitely on the softer side," Padres manager Andy Green said.
Added Lloyd: "I just tried to make the most of the opportunity."
Myers' fifth-inning sacrifice fly tied the score at 4. The Padres were aided by Asdrubal Cabrera's error in his fourth career start at third base.
The Mets chased Lloyd in the fifth after Granderson and Cabrera delivered consecutive doubles. Kirby Yates relieved Lloyd and gave up an RBI double to Cespedes in pushing the Mets ahead 4-3.
Travis d'Arnaud's RBI single pulled the Mets within 3-2 in the fourth.
The Padres seized the lead in the second, fueled by two home runs. Allen Cordoba smacked his first homer since May 13, a two-run shot to push the Padres ahead 3-1. Hunter Renfroe homered in his third consecutive at-bat earlier in the inning when he smacked Lugo's 77 mph curveball.
Cespedes put the Mets up in the first with a solo shot, his 10th homer of the year and his fourth in six career games at Petco Park.
Trainer's room
Mets: Collins said RHP Jeurys Familia (blood clot, right arm) is playing catch and will be moving to the mound soon. Collins said he expects Familia to pitch again this season for the Mets, he's just not sure when.