The New York Mets have been scoring runs in bunches, regardless of the manner in which they are doing it.
The Mets aim to keep the scoreboard operator busy and perhaps set a franchise record on Saturday as they play the third contest of a four-game series against the host Atlanta Braves.
Brandon Nimmo, who was dropped from the leadoff position to No. 8, belted a two-run homer to highlight his three-hit performance in New York’s 6-2 victory on Friday. The Mets matched a franchise record by scoring at least six runs in their sixth straight game, equaling the mark set on four previous occasions.
“Really the motto of this team is to just pass the torch on to the next guy,” the 26-year-old Nimmo said. “If we can get the starting pitcher’s pitch count up, have good at-bats against him and keep passing the torch along, then someone is going to do some damage along the way.”
While Nimmo’s big hit was his second homer of the season, it was his bunt that put the wheels in motion of what became a four-run fourth inning that really impressed Mets manager Mickey Callaway.
“You can’t really combat what we’re doing,” Callaway said, when asked if New York can sustain its run-scoring ways. “… We’re scoring in different ways every game it seems like. I do think it’s sustainable, maybe not six (runs) a game, that’s gonna be tough to do, but the way we’re scoring runs, I think we’ll score more because of that.”
Jeff McNeil ascended to the top of the order and had a two-run double to highlight his two-hit performance on Friday. He also scored on Robinson Cano’s RBI double in the fourth.
The Mets look to remain productive against left-hander Sean Newcomb (0-0, 1.64 ERA), who answered a four-walk performance in his season-opening start to yield two runs on five hits in seven innings of a no-decision versus Miami on Sunday.
The 25-year-old Newcomb improved to 2-2 with a 1.82 ERA in six career starts against New York after posting a 1-0 mark while permitting three runs in three starts (18 innings) last season.
Newcomb has kept Nimmo (0-for-6, three strikeouts) and Juan Lagares (0-for-10, four strikeouts) under wraps.
Ronald Acuna Jr. has been red-hot at the plate, ripping a run-scoring double among his two hits on Friday to improve to 9-for-14 with three homers and six RBIs in his last four games overall.
Acuna has fared well against Saturday starter Jason Vargas (1-0, 9.00), going 5-for-8 with two extra-base hits (triple, homer).
Josh Donaldson is just 3-for-28 against the left-hander, although he is slowly working out of a sluggish start with four doubles during his five-game hitting streak.
“That’s encouraging to see. He’s one of those guys (when he) gets it going, he has the potential to be able to carry you,” manager Brian Snitker said of Donaldson, who was the 2015 American League Most Valuable Player.
Vargas allowed two runs on eight hits in five innings to pick up the win in a 6-5 victory at Miami on April 2.
The 36-year-old saw his next start skipped in the rotation as a means to keep reigning NL Cy Young Award recipient Jacob deGrom on schedule, although Vargas returned to the mound on Tuesday for his first relief appearance since 2009 — surrendering four runs on as many hits in one inning against Minnesota.
Vargas owns a 2-2 mark with a 4.01 ERA in six career appearances, five starts, against Atlanta after splitting four decisions last season, allowing 10 runs on 22 hits in 21 2/3 innings.
