New York Mets Get Back to .500 Behind Zack Wheeler's Best Outing of the Season
May 9, 2017; New York City, NY, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Zack Wheeler (45) delivers a pitch against the San Francisco Giants in the fifth inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Mets put their troubles behind them for one night, and got back to the business of winning baseball games.

There was no light at the end of the tunnel it seemed to the trials and tribulations these New York Mets have faced thus far in this young 2017 season. Injuries and the Matt Harvey drama would have derailed many other teams, but not these scrappy Mets and not on manager Terry Collins‘ watch.

The Mets’ depth has been challenged daily since the start of the season but on Tuesday night at Citi Field, they came up with some solid solutions. Zack Wheeler stepped up with his best outing of the season against the suddenly woeful San Francisco Giants (11-13), pitching six strong innings of two-hit ball for his second victory of the season.



“I was very, very impressed,” said Collins after the game. “I think he’s, again, taken another giant step forward. I told him tonight that last start he only went 50 pitches and I thought 95 was good enough for tonight, but he could have certainly gone back out and gave us another one.”

Wheeler allowed just one run  – a solo HR to Giants’ catcher Buster Posey in the fourth inning, in the Mets’ 6-1 victory, their fifth in the last sixth games and eighth in their last 11.

The win got the Mets (16-16) back to .500 for the first time since they were 8-8 on April 20, and it may finally set them on their way.

“To get to the end goal, we had to get back to .500,” Collins said. “We’ve got a lot of pieces that are missing. For these guys to continue to do what they do, it seems like year after year … that’s why they’re so much fun to be around. They just come out and play.”

The Mets will send newcomer Tommy Milone to the mound (1-0, 6.43 with Milwaukee) against Matt Cain in Wednesday’s matinee.

John Fennelly has been covering the New York sports scene on the Internet since 1997. He has advised and been published on dozens of prominent websites and in major periodicals and can been heard on sports talk radio stations all over the dial. Before embarking on his career as an accredited journalist, John held several management positions in a successful 25-year career in the financial industry. He holds a degree in New Media/Journalism from Queens College.