Mets Morning News: Mets sweep Twins, own top spot in the Wild Card

Meet the Mets

The Mets completed the sweep of the Twins on Sunday, and coupled with a San Francisco loss, the Mets own a one-game lead for the first Wild Card spot. Many of the Mets’ starters got the day off for Sunday’s finale, so it was Michael Conforto and T.J. Rivera who provided the offense in the win. Gabriel Ynoa filled in for Jacob deGrom and did well in his spot start, even though he did not make it out of the fifth. The bullpen bent but did not break, and the Mets continued their climb up the Wild Card standings.

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

Michael Conforto got a rare start and was one of the offensive heroes against the Twins, but did that earn him more playing time?

T.J. Rivera provided the other offense the Mets needed on Sunday, which was a continuation of the solid production he has put up at the major league level.

Yoenis Cespedes refused to take Sunday’s game off, but he left the game early with some nausea.

Gabriel Ynoa was the latest starter to put in an admirable performance whilst filling in, but the Mets are hoping to get Steven Matz back in the rotation.

Lucas Duda and Juan Lagares were two other missing Met pieces that finally returned to action on Sunday.

Jacob deGrom most likely will not be back this season, but the recovery time he needs is not expected to be significant.

While the Mets are still in the hunt for the Wild Card, some attention will be turned to the instructional league, where Tim Tebow will make his debut.

Actor and Mets fan Kevin James took in a ballgame this weekend, which he was able to do since moving his show to New York.

Around the Wild Card

The Giants lost to the Cardinals to split the four-game series. Currently, the Mets are a game ahead of the Giants for the first Wild Card spot and two games ahead of the Cardinals.

The Cardinals now head to Colorado to take on the Rockies, and the Giants will face Clayton Kershaw and the Dodgers in Los Angeles.

Around the NL East

The Braves beat the Nationals with some help from the weather.

The Phillies were unable to complete the sweep of the Marlins. The Marlins are five games behind in the Wild Card standings.

Joe Ross pitched well in his return to the Nationals, but the bullpen did not against the Braves.

Around the Majors

Miguel Cabrera reached a career milestone against the Indians.

The Yankees may lose Starlin Castro for the rest of the year to a hamstring injury.

The Angels—and some bees—played the role of spoiler when they defeated the Blue Jays 4-0.

The Orioles continued their push to the playoffs with a 2-1 victory over the Rays.

With so many teams in the hunt for the Wild Card spots in both leagues, tiebreakers might need to be utilized, but how are those determined?

This Date in Mets History

Rey Ordonez was not known for his power, but on this day in 1996 he hit his first major league home run in Philadelphia.