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.