Mets Morning News: Losing streak ends, but the purge continues

Meet the Mets

The losing streak is snapped at five. A seven-run inning helped carry the Mets to a comfortable 8-1 win over the Marlins. They’ll be back at it for the rubber match this afternoon.

Choose your recap: Amazin’ Avenue short and long, Daily News, New York Post, Newsday, MLB.com, ESPN, NJ.com, Bergen Record

Just hours after the Mets shipped away Curtis Granderson, the Cubs claimed Rene Rivera off waivers. The Mets made a pair of call-ups to round out the roster.

Despite the series of salary dumps, don’t necessarily expect the team to be big players in the upcoming free agent chase.

With all the veterans out the door, 24-year-old Michael Conforto has suddenly become a “veteran leader” in the Mets clubhouse.

Rafael Montero has been a bright spot in a mostly dark season. His new approach of pounding the strike zone has been a big reason why.

One of the baby Mets making an audition the rest of the season is Dominic Smith. He sat down for a lengthy Q&A with the New York Post.

Around the NL East

Stephen Strasburg came back from the DL for the Nationals, but he got little run support in his return as they lost to the Padres.

No Braves pitcher could figure out the Reds last night, as Cincinnati put up 11 runs on Atlanta.

Mets legend Ty Kelly hit a decisive grand slam in a shootout against the Giants in San Francisco.

Before getting pummeled by the Mets, the Marlins traded starting pitcher Tom Koehler to the Blue Jays.

Around the Majors

Mike Trout entered the record books (which he’s sure to do plenty more times) after hitting his 25th home run of the season.

Aaron Judge is still very good, but he’s also set a rather dubious strikeout mark.

Meanwhile in Yankee land, Aroldis Chapman has officially played himself out of the closer role.

Umpires appear really upset about a lack of a suspension for Ian Kinsler after he publicly berated one of them. But he and the Tigers don’t appear too impressed by the protests.

The Cardinals and Pirates are getting ready to play a game at the site of the Little League World Series.

Yesterday at Amazin’ Avenue

In tribute to Curtis Granderson, Chris McShane checked out his ten most impressive games in the orange and blue.

This Date in Mets History

August 20 is a date of milestones for the Mets. Dwight Gooden notched his 200th strikeout of the season in 1986, the second straight year he reached that plateau. Three years later, Howard Johnson joined the 30-30 club for the second time in his career.