Mesoraco, Conforto Lift Wheeler & Mets Over San Diego
NEW YORK (AP) — Devin Mesoraco hit an early three-run double and made a heads-up play on defense that helped Zack Wheeler and the New York Mets defeat the San Diego Padres 6-3 on Tuesday night.
Michael Conforto launched a two-run homer, extending his recent tear at the plate, and Wheeler (4-6) pitched seven crisp innings to win his second consecutive start. Before that, the right-hander went 13 outings without a victory dating to April 29 in San Diego — the longest stretch without a win for a Mets starter in 20 years.
Before the game, New York put Yoenis Cespedes on the 10-day disabled list again. The team said it was awaiting a second opinion before deciding whether the oft-injured slugger needs surgery on both feet that could require an eight-to-10-month recovery.
"Still trying to gather information," manager Mickey Callaway said.
Leadoff hitter Amed Rosario tripled and scored twice for the Mets, who won for only the eighth time in their last 30 home games. Wilmer Flores also scored twice.
Padres left-hander Eric Lauer (5-7) struggled through the early innings once again. He threw 35 pitches in the first, giving up Mesoraco's bases-loaded double with two outs, before serving up Conforto's 13th homer after a leadoff walk in the third.
Asdrubal Cabrera singled home Rosario after he tripled with two outs in the fourth.
Wil Myers hit a two-run single in the third off Wheeler, who then retired his final 12 batters. A possible trade candidate with a week to go before the July 31 deadline, Wheeler allowed two runs and four hits with three strikeouts and one walk.
Myers added an RBI double off Seth Lugo in the ninth.
Manuel Margot was initially called out at the plate on Myers' single in the third. Even though that appeared to be the third out of the inning, Mesoraco alertly threw to third just in case, where Carlos Asuaje was easily tagged as he eased up in the basepath for what seemed to like an unnecessary "fourth out."
When umpires overturned the call at the plate, ruling Margot safe after a replay review that lasted just more than 3 minutes, they also called Asuaje out at third, ending the inning.
That preserved a 3-2 lead for the Mets, and Wheeler cruised from there.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Padres: RHP Jordan Lyles (right elbow inflammation) made a rehab start for Triple-A El Paso and could pitch for San Diego on Sunday at home against Arizona. ... INF Fernando Tatis Jr., one of the highest-rated prospects in baseball, had surgery for a broken left thumb with ligament damage. He is expected to be sidelined at least six to eight weeks, potentially ending his season with Double-A San Antonio.
Mets: LHP Jason Vargas (strained right calf) is scheduled to come off the disabled list to start Friday night in Pittsburgh. ... Mesoraco was hit under the chin by a foul ball in the fourth. After being checked, he remained in the game.
UP NEXT
Mets rookie RHP Corey Oswalt (0-2, 5.64 ERA), who is from San Diego, makes his sixth major league appearance and fifth start when he faces his hometown Padres in the series finale Wednesday afternoon. Looking for his first career win, Oswalt has allowed a total of three hits over 11 innings in his past two outings. Veteran LHP Clayton Richard (7-9, 4.82) pitches for the Padres.
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