Mets Morning News: Matz brings joy to Flushing, Flores starts at second base

Meet the Mets

The Mets finally acquired that slugger whom everyone has been waiting for. His name is Steven Matz... and he also can pitch! The lefty drove in four runs during his major league debut while limiting the Reds to a pair of runs in seven-and-two-thirds innings pitched.

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Matz is now the only pitcher on record to have three hits and four RBI in his first big league game.

The lefty's family was on hand to witness the incredible debut, and no one was more thrilled to be there than grandpa.

It's no wonder that Matz looked so good at the plate. He was using a bat that belonged to Matt Reynolds!

Earlier on Sunday, the Mets completed a 2-1 victory over the Reds when Lucas Duda drove in Dilson Herrera with a bases-loaded ground ball in the bottom of the 13th inning. The game began on Saturday but was suspended after six innings due to rain.

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To make room for Matz on the 25-man roster, left-handed reliever Jack Leathersich was optioned to Triple-A.

Sunday marked Wilmer Flores's first start of the season at second base. That means that Daniel Murphy will likely play third base when he returns from the disabled list on Tuesday.

Ken Rosenthal is reporting that the Cubs are not the only team interested in Jon Niese. The Dodgers are as well.

Around the National League East

With Giancarlo Stanton out for at least a month, the Marlins are poised to be sellers at the trade deadline. Here's some guys they could deal.

In the wake of a Sunday doubleheader that the Phillies split with the Nationals, The Good Phight reports that going to a game at Citizens Bank Park is still fun.

A great performance by Alex Wood allowed the Braves to defeat Pittsburgh 2-1 and halt a five-game losing streak.

Around the Majors

The league office yesterday announced big changes to the Home Run Derby. Instead of being given a certain number of outs in each round, sluggers will have five minutes to hit as many long balls as they can.

Carlos Correa is already fantastic enough without the Yankees allowing him to round the bases on a routine fly ball.

Nolan Arenado is on his way to becoming an All-Star third baseman despite a poor walk rate. Yesterday, he hit two more home runs to give him nine during his current 15-game hitting streak.

Yesterday at Amazin' Avenue

Steve Sypa reintroduced us to Matz and his long path to the major leagues.

This date in Mets history

In 1969, Tom Seaver became the franchise's all-time wins leader. In 1971, he recorded his 1,000th career strikeout.