Mets ensure Giants’ slide continues
NEW YORK: Zack Wheeler pitched twohit ball against the team that traded him, Michael Conforto homered and the New York Mets scored four times in the first inning on Tuesday on the way to a 6-1 victory over the staggering San Francisco Giants.
Hours after Matt Harvey returned from his three-day suspension with a string of contrite apologies, the banged-up Mets began moving on from their latest commotion. Despite all the injuries and turmoil, New York (16-16) have righted themselves on the field by winning eight of 11 following a six-game slide.
Jeff Samardzija (0-5) and the Giants, outhit 13-2, are headed in the opposite direction after their fifth consecutive defeat and eighth in 10 games. San Francisco, with three World Series titles and four play-off appearances since 2010, had the majors’ worst record at 11-23.
The team got more bad news moments before the first pitch when All-Star closer Mark Melancon was put on the disabled list — though it’s not as if he has had many ninth-inning leads to protect.
Wheeler (2-2) went six innings in his best start since missing two seasons while recovering from Tommy John surgery.
In Baltimore, Mark Trumbo singled in the tie-breaking run in the 12th inning, and the Orioles extended their season-best winning streak to six games with a 5-4 victory over the Nationals.
Joey Votto singled with the bases loaded during the latest big inning off CC Sabathia, and the Reds stopped the Yankees’ sixgame win streak with a 5-3 triumph.
In Toronto, Carlos Carrasco and two Cleveland relievers combined on a four-hitter, and Yan Gomes hit a three-run homer to hand the hosts a 6-0 rout.
Eric Thames hit his 13th homer in Milwaukee’s five-run first inning, helping the Brewers overcome a big night for Mookie Betts and record an 11-7 win over the Red Sox.
Mike Moustakas homered in the 12th inning, helping the Royals to a 7-6 road win over Rays, while Taylor Motter had the goahead RBI double in the ninth inning as the Mariners overcame a four-run deficit to beat the Phillies 7-6.
In Miami, pinch hitter Dexter Fowler singled home the tie-breaking run in the ninth inning, and the Cardinals rallied from a late four-run deficit for their fifth consecutive victory, a 6-5 win over the Marlins.
In the other games on Tuesday, the Astos tamed the Braves 8-3, the Twins routed the White Sox 7-2, the Rangers blanked the Padres 11-0, the Angels defeated the A’cs 7-3, the Tigers beat the Diamondbacks 7-3 and the Dodgers edged the Pirates 4-3.