Mets Morning News: Mets beat Marlins, gain ground on Giants and Cardinals

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The Mets beat the Marlins 5-2 last night in Miami. Seth Lugo started and shook off a first inning two-run home run by Martin Prado to complete five-and-one-third innings without allowing another. James Loney got the Mets on the board with a two-run home run, and Jay Bruce continued to hit well with a two-run home run of his own. Hansel Robles, Fernando Salas, Addison Reed, and Jeurys Familia combined to finish off the game. The Mets are off today before beginning a series against the Phillies to close the regular season.

Choose your recap: Amazin’ Avenue short and long, MLB.com, ESPN New York, New York Post, Daily News, Newsday, New York Times, NJ.com, NorthJersey.com, Faith and Fear in Flushing

After originally being included in the lineup, Lucas Duda was scratched from yesterday’s game due to stiffness.

Bartolo Colon is dealing with an injured tendon in his right foot. The injury was sustained while Colon was running the bases and has not drawn any concern from the team.

Wilmer Flores is reportedly unlikely to play the rest of the season. He is still dealing with an ailing wrist that was suffered sliding into home earlier this month.

Tim Tebow hit a home run on the first pitch he saw in his first professional game. He did not record another hit the rest of the game, finishing one-for-six.

Terry Collins is tentatively setting up the Mets’ rotation for the end of the regular season and potential playoff games. He suggested the Bartolo Colon could go on short rest tomorrow, due to his short start on Monday. He also said that Noah Syndergaard would likely start Sunday no matter what, even if just to get some work in, should the Mets have clinched.

Jeurys Familia became the first Dominican-born pitcher to record 50 saves in a season. It is also a record for saves by a Mets closer in a season.

Terry Collins and other members of the Mets paid their respects for Jose Fernandez, attending the memorial in Miami.

At For the Win, Ted Berg ranked all the teams that are not yet eliminated from the playoffs in terms of injury misfortune. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the Mets were placed first in this list.

Around the NL East

Read a recap of last night’s game from the Marlins’ perspective at Fish Stripes.

The Braves beat the Phillies 12-2. Adam Morgan was dreadful for Philadelphia, allowing nine runs over five innings. Matt Kemp and Dansby Swanson both drove in two runs, while Daniel Castro drove in three for Atlanta. Read recaps at Talking Chop and The Good Phight.

The Nationals lost a rain-shortened game to the Diamondbacks 3-0. Gio Gonzalez allowed all three Arizona runs in three-and-two-thirds innings.

Around the Wild Card

The Giants were shut out by the Rockies 2-0. Jeff Samardzija pitched very well, striking out 11 and allowing the two Colorado runs over six innings, but the Giants’ offense was stymied by Tyler Chatwood for eight innings.

The Reds edged out the Cardinals 2-1. Mike Leake allowed a two-RBI single to Adam Duvall in the third inning—but nothing else. The Cardinals scored a run when a double-play forced on in during the fifth inning. Whatever happens, the Cardinals will bring back manager Mike Matheny for the 2017 season.

Around MLB

The Cubs are expected to announce a five-year extension for team president Theo Epstein. He first took over the team in 2011.

The Red Sox clinched the AL Eest despite losing to the Yankees on a walk-off grand slam by Mark Teixeira

Shin Soo Choo will return to the Rangers today. He has been on the disabled list, his fourth trip of the season, since August 15 with a fractured forearm.

The White Sox would reportedly offer manager Robin Ventura a contract extension should he want to return. Ventura, who has been Chicago’s manager for five seasons, has a record of 373-432.

Through his attorney, Pete Rose appealed directly to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in order to attempt to get on the ballot.

At Fangraphs, Eno Sarris interviewed Astros shortstop Carlos Correa. In it, he discussed the various injuries Correa has dealt with, and how they might have affected his play.

This Date in Mets History

In 1962, the Mets made Casey Stengel their inaugural manager. He served in that capacity until the middle of the 1965 season.