Mets Morning News: Mets hit, settle for split

Meet the Mets

The Mets outscored the Phillies 30-13 on Thursday, but only managed a split of the division rivals’ doubleheader. In the opening contest, the Amazin’s set a franchise record for runs scored, winning 24-4. Jose Bautista, who came in after Brandon Nimmo took a pitch off his hand, hit a grand slam and notched seven RBI, a career high. Jerry Blevins got his first career hit, off Phillies infielder Scott Kingery. Corey Oswalt surrendered four solo homers in six innings for the second win of his career. In Game 2, Steven Matz had his second miserable start in a row, yielding four runs in two frames in a 9-6 defeat. His ERA has risen from 3.31 to 4.60 in his last five outings. On the day, Amed Rosario went 6-for-11 with a pair of doubles, a home run, four RBI, and a bonkers seven runs scored.

Choose your recap: Amazin’ Avenue short (Game 1), short (Game 2), and long (both games), The Good Phight Game 1 and Game 2, Daily News, Post, Newsday Game 1 and Game 2, BP Mets, MLB.com, Bergen Record.

The Mets front office reportedly has yet to choose a direction in which to go in their search for the team’s next general manager.

Keith Hernandez drew the ire of Braves past and present for his comments concerning Jose Urena’s nailing Ronald Acuna with a fastball, but Hernandez doubled down on his position.

Manager Mickey Callaway, however, disagrees with the Mets broadcast analyst’s stance.

Jenrry Mejia took the mound in affiliated baseball for the first time since 2015. He tossed four scoreless innings for the Mets’ Dominican Summer League squad.

Around the National League East

Acuna started for the Braves just hours after undergoing a CT scan on his elbow. He didn’t lead the game off with a dinger, but he opened the Braves’ first frame with a single before stealing second. Atlanta’s bullpen blew a one-run lead, however, for a 5-3 loss to the Rockies.

Fish Stripes called on the Marlins to ditch Urena in light of his hitting Acuna and some similar prior incidents.

Tanner Roark led the Nationals to a 5-4 victory over the Cardinals, snapping a four-game losing streak.

Around Major League Baseball

Rangers infielder Jurickson Profar helped Ariel Jurado out of a bases-loaded jam with a sweet triple play — the first in which the batter wasn’t called out in over 106 years.

Thursday’s round of games saw several tributes to late soul legend Aretha Franklin.

The Diamondbacks installed a humidor at Chase Field before the season. Fangraphs’ Jeff Sullivan examined the effects it’s had so far.

Yesterday at Amazin’ Avenue

Jack McLoone covered Nimmo’s injury. X-rays on the outfielder’s left index finger came back negative, which is positive.

Andres Gimenez, Will Toffey, Mickey Jannis, and Scott Copeland had good days down in the minors.

This Date in Mets History

In 1967, Bud Harrelson hit his first career home run, three years and almost 700 plate appearances into his career. It was one of just seven homers in his 16 years in the majors. Six years later, a 42-year-old Willie Mays hit his 660th and final bomb.