Flushing, NY – Jonathon Niese pitched his second career shutout and added a three-run double, and the new-look New York Mets snapped a five-game losing streak with a 5-0 win over the Philadelphia Phillies.
Prior to the game, the Mets traded outfielder Marlon Byrd, catcher John Buck and cash considerations to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for minor league infielder Dilson Herrera and a player to be named later.
However, despite dealing their home run leader in Byrd, and the Mets still playing without their franchise star David Wright, who is battling a strained hamstring, New York generated more than enough offense in the second portion of this four-game series.
Niese (6-6) allowed just three hits and a walk while striking out five for his first shutout since June 10, 2010. The 26-year-old southpaw has been performing great since returning from the disabled list, picking up his third win in four starts.
"We just try and go out there and do our jobs and fortunately today, we were able to hit the ball well and field the ball well," said Niese. "We came out with a good win."
Daniel Murphy and Travis d'Arnaud had an RBI apiece for New York.
Phillies starter Kyle Kendrick (10-11) gave up all five runs -- one earned -- on five hits and four walks over six innings.
"It was just his night," said Kendrick about his counterpart Niese.
The Mets got on the board in the third. Niese walked with one out and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from Eric Young. Murphy then knocked a single to right, scoring Niese.
They added four more runs in the sixth. With one out and the bases loaded, d'Arnaud hit a sacrifice fly to center, scoring Andrew Brown. Kendrick then intentionally walked Omar Quintaniila, before giving up a bases-clearing double to left-center from Niese.
Meanwhile, Niese didn't allow a runner past first until the eighth, when he gave up a leadoff double to Michael Young. However, that would be it, as he retired the next three batters.
In the ninth, he walked Jimmy Rollins with two outs, but got Chase Utley to fly out to center field to end the game.
Game Notes
The Mets also placed pitcher Matt Harvey on the 15-day disabled list with a partial tear of the ulnar collateral ligament of his right elbow ... Niese entered the game 3-2 with a 2.25 ERA in six career starts against the Phillies. He also has a 2.54 ERA at home this season ... The Mets have won three of their last four at home against the Phillies, but are 6-11 over the last two years versus Philadelphia at Citi Field ... The Phillies lost for just the third time in their last 10 games.
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