NEW YORK --
FIRST PITCH: At least a series-opening loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates did not cost the New York Mets.
Max Scherzer was roughed up for six runs in three innings and the Washington Nationals continued to stumble on their West Coast trip. The San Francisco Giants beat the Nats, 8-5, late Friday as the Mets (63-53) maintained a 4½-game lead atop the National League East.
Washington (58-57) is only a game over .500.
On Saturday, Jonathon Niese (7-9, 3.46 ERA) opposes Pirates right-hander Charlie Morton (7-4, 4.48) at 7:10 p.m. ET at Citi Field. Niese has a 2.41 ERA in his last eight starts.
SATURDAY’S NEWS REPORTS:
In the latest turn in what he described as a “roller-coaster” season, Bobby Parnell allowed all three batters he faced to single and was charged with two runs as the Pirates beat the Mets, 3-2, in 10 innings on Friday. The Mets scored one run in the bottom of the frame against Pittsburgh closer Mark Melancon, who nonetheless converted his franchise-record 34th straight save chance. Bartolo Colon allowed a solo homer to Neil Walker in the first inning, then contributed six straight scoreless frames. The Mets had two in scoring position with none out in the third inning, but Yoenis Cespedes struck out, Juan Uribe popped out and Daniel Murphy struck out against J.A. Happ. “We all are trying to do our job and we’re trying hard, but we didn’t execute,” Cespedes said through an interpreter. Cespedes later evened the score at 1 with a solo homer against Happ in the sixth. Read game recaps in the Post, Daily News, Times, Newsday, Record and at NJ.com and MLB.com.
David Wright, Kirk Nieuwenhuis and Erik Goeddel all played in a rehab game with Class A St. Lucie on Friday. Steven Matz is due to begin a rehab assignment with the Florida State League club on Saturday. Matz is due to throw 25 pitches in the game. He is not expected to be activated from the DL until after rosters expand on Sept. 1. Read more in the Post, Newsday and at MLB.com.
Lucas Duda missed a fourth straight game on Friday with what he is now calling a lumbar strain in his back. Duda may return to the lineup Saturday. Or maybe Tuesday at Baltimore. But manager Terry Collins expects Duda will avoid the DL. Read more in the Post, Newsday and at NJ.com and MLB.com.
Jerry Blevins made his first public comments since refracturing his left forearm nearly three weeks ago with a fall. Read more at MLB.com.
Dilson Herrera had a game-ending groundout with Danny Muno in scoring position and El Paso held on for a 3-2 win against Las Vegas. T.J. Rivera’s solo homer was the only hit for the B-Mets in a 6-1 loss at New Britain. St. Lucie was swept in a doubleheader at Jupiter. Scarlyn Reyes contributed five scoreless innings in the nightcap defeat. Wuilmer Becerra homered and drove in four runs as Savannah extended its winning streak to 11 games with a 6-4 victory against Greensboro. Read the full minor league recap here.
Yankees GM Brian Cashman discusses the possibility of acquiring Jose Reyes from the Colorado Rockies with George King in the Post. Reyes reportedly cleared waivers. He is owed $22 million in both 2016 and ’17. Cashman said the Yankees have a shortstop: Didi Gregorius.
Columnist John Harper in the Daily News examines the free-swinging Cespedes.
Ex-Met Jose Valverde, currently unemployed, was suspended for 80 games by MLB for a positive PED test. He had been released by the Nats from their Triple-A affiliate last month.
From the bloggers … Faith and Fear offers an appreciation of one of those seasons that inevitably gets skipped in the historical highlight montages. … Mets Merized Online speaks with Sandy Alderson about the trade deadline.
BIRTHDAYS: Oliver Perez turns 34. ... Duffy Dyer is 70. ... Gaby Almonte is 23.
TWEET OF THE DAY:
@AdamRubinESPN Hey Gardenhoser!
— Dan C. (@DannyDeuces10) August 15, 2015YOU’RE UP: Which reliever do you trust most beyond Jeurys Familia and Tyler Clippard in the Mets’ bullpen?
