Mets Morning News: An oasis in the desert

Meet the Mets

The Mets beat the Diamondbacks 5-1 in Arizona, buoyed by four RBIs from Michael Conforto and a strong start from Steven Matz. The Mets scored four runs in a game for the first time since June 1st.

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

Kevin Kernan is critical of the Mets’ tendency to stick with veteran players way past their prime.

Meanwhile, Joel Sherman has a bone to pick with the fanbase and it involves the criticism he received for his spring training piece where he commented on Yoenis Cespedes’ habit of wearing his hat backwards.

Robert Murray thinks the Brewers should be all-in on Jacob deGrom.

Ahead of Father’s Day, Todd Frazier reflects on life as a dad, with his third child on the way.

Mike Vaccaro writes about the parallels between Mickey Callaway’s and Ben McAdoo’s experiences at the helm in New York.

John Harper reports that Yoenis Cespedes was offered a no-trade clause because the Mets feared he would sign with the Astros instead, in part because he did not want to play for Terry Collins.

Jeurys Familia will be activated from the disabled list ahead of today’s game.

Yoenis Cespedes and Noah Syndergaard have yet to resume baseball activities, as both are still experiencing soreness.

Around the National League East

Braves’ reliever Jesse Biddle reflects on his twisting and turning path to the big leagues and advice he got from the late Roy Halladay when he was a Phillies prospect.

Sean Newcomb delivered a dominant performance for the Braves, as they shut out the Padres 1-0.

Meanwhile, the Nationals were shut out 2-0 by Marco Estrada and the Blue Jays, as Estrada out-dueled Max Scherzer.

An injury to Matt Adams forced Nationals’ manager Dave Martinez to play Daniel Murphy in the field earlier than he planned.

J.T. Realmuto had two home runs and four RBIs in the Marlins’ 5-4 victory over the Orioles at Camden Yards.

Phillies’ manager Gabe Kapler turned to his beleaguered former closer Hector Neris for the save and Neris delivered, sealing the Phillies’ 4-1 victory over the Brewers.

Kapler also thinks that Rhys Hoskins is due to break out of his funk.

Around Major League Baseball

The Mariners have found themselves an unlikely hero in Wade LeBlanc.

Meg Rowley takes a deep dive into some instant replay data: when replay is occurring, what’s getting reviewed, how long it is getting reviewed for, and which teams challenge the most. Overall, instant replay seems to be working as it should and the time it takes to review calls is steadily going down.

Yesterday at Amazin’ Avenue

Kory Powell gave us the daily prospect report, in which all the farm teams were defeated in their respective games.

Jack McLoone covered Wilmer Flores’ return from the disabled list.

This Date in Mets History

In the early hours of the morning on June 17, 2008, the Mets fired Willie Randolph.