11-27-2019, 03:22 AM
NEW YORK -- For a young pitcher such as Zack Wheeler, the most promising performances can come on days he doesnt have his best stuff. Justin Verlander Astros Jersey . Daniel Murphy hit a three-run homer to back up Wheelers sixth straight strong start, and the Mets routed the Phillies 11-2 on Wednesday afternoon. "You saw a guy battle without his best command," manager Terry Collins said proudly of the 24-year-old right-hander. Wheeler (6-8) gave up two runs and seven hits with four strikeouts in 6 2-3 innings -- the sixth consecutive outing in which he allowed two runs or fewer. The Mets sent 10 men to the plate in the seventh inning, scoring five insurance runs off the Philadelphia bullpen to take two of three in the series. After the Phillies went up 1-0 in the top of the fifth, New York quickly responded -- with Wheeler helping himself at the plate. Juan Lagares opened the bottom of the inning with an infield hit when backup shortstop Andres Blanco double-clutched after ranging far to his left to field the grounder up the middle. Ruben Tejada singled to bring up Wheeler, who fouled off his first two bunt attempts. But with two strikes, he got the ball in play -- and it was a good one, easily advancing the runners to second and third. Curtis Granderson walked to load the bases, then Kyle Kendricks wild pitch with Murphy at the plate tied the game. Three pitches later, Murphy put the Mets ahead 4-1 with his first homer since July 1. "It happened quick," Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg said. "(Kendrick) just wasnt able to keep it at one or two runs there." Jimmy Rollins, out of the lineup for the noon start after a night game, pinch-hit for Kendrick (5-11) to open the seventh and homered for the second straight day to pull the Phillies within 4-2. They had runners on first and third with two outs, but Jeurys Familia came on to retire Marlon Byrd. Familia went on to get his first career RBI with a single in the bottom of the inning, when the Mets broke the game open with the help of an error by reliever Justin De Fratus that led to two unearned runs. With one out, the Phillies intentionally walked David Wright to bring up Lucas Duda, who was batting .153 against lefties. But he singled off Mario Hollands to put New York up 5-2. Duda added his fifth homer in eight games in the eighth. "I have confidence in myself that I can hit lefties," Duda said. "Right now Im going through a bit of a rough spell." Ryan Howard broke out of an 0-for-12 slump with a two-out RBI double in the fifth that briefly put the Phillies up 1-0. METS MOMENTUM New York has won six of nine games and five of its past seven series. The 11 runs were the most the Mets had scored at home since last Aug. 29, also against the Phillies. Familia has pitched 9 1-3 straight scoreless innings. HEATING UP Lagares came into the series mired in an 0-for-17 slump, then went 6 for 12 against the Phillies. Tejada was 3 for 4 on Wednesday after coming in 4 for 38 over his past 14 games. TRAINERS ROOM Mets: LHP Dana Eveland was back on the mound two days after he left the game when he was struck on the pitching elbow by a line drive. The reliever struggled with his control after replacing Wheeler with two outs in the seventh. He walked Chase Utley, who stole second then advanced to third on a passed ball. Eveland hit Howard and was taken out for Familia, who got the Mets out of the jam. ON DECK Phillies: LHP Cliff Lee (4-5) faces Nationals LHP Gio Gonzalez (6-6) as Philadelphia opens a four-game series in Washington on Thursday. Mets: The Mets have Thursday off, then send LHP Jonathon Niese (5-6) to the mound when they open a four-game home series against the Giants on Friday. Gerrit Cole Astros Jersey . -- During Kansas shootaround on Wednesday before the Jayhawks faced Oklahoma, coach Bill Self told Wayne Selden Jr. Jim Bouton Astros Jersey ." The game can be seen live on TSN starting with Monday Night Countdown at 6:30 p.m et/3:30 p.m. pt. The Patriots, who had a bye in Week 10, will look to continue the offensive success they had a week earlier when New England scored 55 points and racked up 610 yards of total offense in a 55-31 drubbing of the Pittsburgh Steelers. https://www.cheapastros.com/2513o-rusty-...stros.html . Irving played 10 minutes Sunday night before going to the locker room. He had two points and four assists, missing all five of his shots. The All-Star game MVP is the top scorer among Eastern Conference point guards with 21.James Reimer was back on the ice a day after leaving Torontos 6-3 win over the New York Rangers early. Reimer was one of 15 Maple Leafs taking part in an optional skate Monday after leaving Sundays game early when he was clipped by Dominic MMoore. Carlos Beltran Jersey. Reimer said he felt fine and will be available moving forward. Reimer got his first win of the season against the Rangers, stopping 24 of 26 shots before Jonathan Bernier closed out the game Sunday. ' ' '