Mets Morning News: Parnell walks the plank as Mets head back to the drawing board

Meet the Mets

The Mets and Pittsburgh were tied at 1-1 after six innings, but the Pirates rallied against Bobby Parnell following a surprise rain delay, and they completed the sweep with an 8-1 thumping.

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Matt Harvey pitched well, but he didn't factor into the decision.

Parnell's outing might have turned out better if the Mets hadn't botched a key double play opportunity.

Travis d'Arnaud hit a home run because Terry Collins let him start a day game after a long night game.

A pair of extra-inning losses apparently prove that the Mets aren't good enough to compete with the senior circuit's top clubs.

Now that the Mets are hitting the ball a little bit, it's time to bother Sandy Alderson about the troublesome bullpen that he's already attempted to mend several times since spring training.

Rafael Montero allowed one run in three innings during his latest rehab appearance for the St. Lucie Mets.

Around the National League East

Will the Mets have to win another game to clinch the division? It's a legitimate question after the Nationals were shut out by Madison Bumgarner.

The Braves didn't get much run support for Shelby Miller, but they still beat Arizona thanks to a Cameron Maybin walk-off home run.

David Phelps had to leave the game early with an elbow problem, but Derek Dietrich and the Marlins rallied to a 6-4 victory in St. Louis.

Ryan Braun hit a grand slam to lift the Brewers to a 6-1 win over the Phillies.

Around Major League Baseball

The Brewers say that openly gay minor leaguer David Denson would be welcome in the big league clubhouse.

The only runs that the Dodgers scored in their 2-1 win over the Reds came on back-to-back home runs by Joc Pederson and starting pitcher Zack Greinke.

Not to be outdone, Bumgarner hit his fourth long ball of the season (and 10th of his career) against Washington.

Braun's grand slam against Philadelphia tied him with Robin Yount for most home runs in Brewers history.

Chris Sale's dominant performance against the Cubs has the southpaw on track for 300 strikeouts this year.

Taking the mound during a blowout loss to the Orioles, Oakland's Ike Davis walked the opposing pitcher. That's kind of strange in a game between two American League clubs.

Yesterday at Amazin' Avenue

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This date in Mets history

Bud Harrelson hit his first big league home run, and Willie Mays hit his last.