Mets Morning News: Big day for Big Pete, redemption for Dominic Smith, and Walker Lockett’s first big league win

Meet the Mets

The Mets’ bats suddenly awakened once more, as they trounced the Giants 11-4 in San Francisco yesterday afternoon. Walker Lockett put forth his best outing as a Met so far filling in for the injured Zack Wheeler and earned his first big league win for doing so. He tossed five innings and gave up just one run, at one point retiring eight hitters in a row. Dominic Smith made up for his error the night before by going 3-for-5 with four RBIs. Pete Alonso delivered a pinch-hit, three-run homer to blow the game open. Jeff McNeil and Todd Frazier also homered for the Mets.

Choose your recap: Amazin’ Avenue short and long, NY Post, Daily News, Newsday, MLB.com, Bergen County Record, Faith and Fear in Flushing.

Just as with Pete Alonso’s first big league home run, Walker Lockett was showered with condiments in the Mets locker room after his first big league win.

With the Mets having played two consecutive extra-inning games and Pete Alonso slumping, he was given the day off yesterday. But that did not stop him from having a historic impact on the game. With his pinch-hit, three-run shot, Alonso notched his 75th RBI of the season, which is a franchise record for a rookie.

Travis d’Arnaud highlights fundamental problems with how the Mets are run, writes Joel Sherman of the New York Post.

Around the National League East

The Nationals beat the Braves 5-3 thanks in part to a strong performance from their bullpen, who had let them down the night before.

The Braves were among many teams scouting Marcus Stroman, who has been the center of a lot of trade rumors in recent weeks. However, the asking price will be high.

The Nationals are specifically interested in cost controlled relievers at the deadline and have been connected to Mychal Givens and Jake Diekman previously. The latest reports are that they are also showing interest in Shane Greene and Sam Dyson.

The Phillies offense was stymied by the Pirates, as they collected just three hits in a 5-1 loss at PNC Park.

The Phillies acquired pitcher Mike Morin from the Twins for cash considerations. Meanwhile, the newly acquired Drew Smyly may start for the Phillies as soon as today.

The Marlins lost to the Dodgers 10-6 in a rollercoaster of a game in which Miami rallied for five runs in the eighth, only to see the bullpen give up four runs in the bottom of the inning.

Around Major League Baseball

Today, the newest class elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame will be inducted. “This guy is in his own league, more than anybody,” said Dennis Eckersley of Mariano Rivera, the first ever unanimous inductee.

Manny Machado roasted MLB Network commentators Dan Plesac and Eric Byrnes on Instagram for their defense of Jake Marisnick, who was suspended for two games for running over Jonathan Lucroy at the plate, pointing out the double-standard when it comes to punishing players and how the media treats those players.

Lefty Connor Menez will make his major league debut for the Giants this afternoon against the Mets. Drew Pomeranz has been relegated to the bullpen.

Yesterday at Amazin’ Avenue

Ken Lavin brought us the Daily Prospect Report.

Chris McShane covered the corresponding move when the Mets added Walker Lockett to the roster.

This Date in Mets History

David Wright made his major league debut on this date in 2004.