Mets Morning News: Mets sweep the Cubs, Marlins up next

Meet the Mets

The Mets looked awful against the Nationals, the sky was falling, the season was over, but then they go and do something like this... and totally redeem themselves.

They scored early and often against Jon Lester and the Cubs to complete the sweep at Citi Field. Wilmer Flores led the charge going 6-for-6 at the plate with two home runs. The offense hit five home runs on the day and when the game was out of hand in the eighth, in a nice twist on conventional baseball, a catcher threw to a pitcher. Catcher Miguel Montero was on the mound for the Cubs when Jacob deGrom was called upon to pinch hit. deGrom popped out but that was a minor blemish on an otherwise impressive day at the ballpark. Besides the offense breaking out, the most encouraging development was Syndergaard showing no hint of being hindered by the bone spurs.

The offense looks to keep up the onslaught, and perhaps provide Matt Harvey with some run support, as the Marlins come to town.

Choose your recap: Amazin Avenue short and long, Daily News, ESPN, MLB.com, Newsday, NJ.com, Post, Times

Noah Syndergaard’s solid performance Sunday helped ease concerns about his elbow.

The offensive explosion against the Cubs made a statement that they aren’t going away, and who knew it would take the best team in the league to jump-start an offense that seemed to be on life support.

So just what did that sweep mean for this Mets team?

Wilmer Flores’s big day put him in the record books with Edgardo Alfonzo, and helped ease away thoughts of Jose Reyes taking over.

Curtis Granderson had a big hit in his first game back in the lineup.

Brandon Nimmo’s infectious love of the game stems from his family.

The Mets are almost halfway through the season and some players might be disappointed in their grades on their report card.

The Mets’ most recent first-round pick, Justin Dunn, might make his debut out of the bullpen for the Cyclones on Monday.

Doc Gooden and Darryl Strawberry discuss their road to recovery in a new ESPN “30 for 30” documentary.

Around the NL East

The Braves and Marlins played a historic game at Fort Bragg, and the Braves took the opportunity to meet military members and their families. Despite rallying late, the Braves fell to the Marlins 5-2.

The Marlins also seized the opportunity to honor servicemen and women. J.T Realmuto and Christian Yelich led the offense in the victory over the Braves. The ageless Ichiro Suzuki inches closer to joining the 3,000-hit club.

Vince Velasquez and the Phillies took the series from the Royals when they defeated them 7-2 on Sunday. Aaron Nola, however, got rocked in Saturday’s start against the Royals and will have his next start skipped.

Stephen Strasburg was pulled from a no-hitter, but overall had a successful return to the mound when he helped defeat the Reds 12-1. The Nationals gained Strasburg from the DL but lost Joe Ross to the DL with shoulder inflammation.

Around the Majors

The Diamondbacks placed Zack Greinke on the DL with a strained oblique.

The Dodgers are missing Clayton Kershaw, but received help when Brandon McCarthy returned to the mound for the first time following Tommy John surgery.

Mark Teixeira became the fifth switch-hitter to reach 400 home runs when he hit two for the Yankees in a 6-3 victory over the Padres.

The Cleveland Cavaliers’ connection to the Indians might explain the latter’s recent winning streak.

The Texas Rangers showed off their patriotic spirit just in time for the 4th of July holiday.

Yesterday at AA

Steve Sypa caught up on all the action in the minors with the Mets Daily Prospect Report.

This Date in Mets History

In 1985, the Mets defeated the Braves in an epic, 19-inning, rain-delayed ballgame that ended at 3:55 AM. Ron Darling made his first relief appearance to pick up the win and Keith Hernandez had hit for the cycle when the game finally ended.