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 That's the thing about luck -- you never know when it's going to
turn.
Niese was rewarded for his eight shutout innings when batterymate
Johnny Monell broke a scoreless tie with a two-run double during a
three-run ninth inning, lifting the Mets to a 3-0 victory over the
San Francisco Giants in the opener of a three-game series.
The Mets broke through an inning after no-hitter-throwing Giants
rookie Chris Heston exited.
Niese, who hadn't won since May 9 despite allowing three or fewer
earned runs five times since then, combined with closer Jeurys
Familia on a three-hit shutout as the Mets won for the third time in
four games on their six-game Western swing.
"It's been a while," Niese said of his nearly two-month drought
during which he lost six times. "We had a good feeling about being
aggressive today."
The loss was the Giants' seventh straight and dropped the defending
World Series champions to 42-42, the first time they haven't been
over .500 since May 13.
"It's frustrating, but that's part of baseball," said Heston, who
didn't get a decision despite firing 7 1/3 shutout innings. "You
give up seven, you score six. You give up zero, you don't score.
That's baseball. It's an up-and-down thing."
First baseman Michael Cuddyer led off the Mets' ninth against the
third Giants pitcher, right-hander Sergio Romo (0-4), with a single.
Cuddyer went to third on a double by left fielder Kirk Nieuwenhuis,
who was promoted from Triple-A Las Vegas earlier in the day.
Giants manager Bruce Bochy went to his closer, right-hander Santiago
Casilla, at that point. However, Monell, who entered the game
batting .182, worked the count full before lining a double to right
field, scoring Cuddyer and Nieuwenhuis.
"It felt great being able to come through for the team," said Monell,
a Giants farmhand from 2007 through 2013. "It felt good giving Niese
some runs. He dealt tonight. The guy pitched that well, he deserved
to win the ballgame."
Casilla struck out pinch hitter Lucas Duda, but center fielder Juan
Lagares, batting ninth behind Niese in the order, grounded an RBI
single to center that plated Monell to make it 3-0.
"Casilla probably gave up too much there with a base open," Bochy
said. "We definitely have to tighten up this bullpen and get back to
who we are."
Familia retired the middle of the Giants' lineup in order in the
ninth, earning his 23rd save in 25 tries.
"I don't really get caught up in that," Niese said of his hard-luck
tag. "Great win. It was fun out there."
Niese (4-8) allowed just three hits -- all singles -- and two walks
in his sixth consecutive quality start. He struck out four.
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The Giants did manage to load the bases against Niese with star
catcher Buster Posey at the plate with two outs in the sixth inning.
Posey, who entered the game riding an 11-game hitting streak,
grounded out, ending the threat. He finished the game 0-for-4.
"He deserved it a lot," Mets manager Terry Collins said of Niese
getting the win. "Another tremendous outing by him tonight. The guys
scored some runs for him for a change."
Second baseman Joaquin Arias had two of the Giants' three hits on a
night when Bochy rested his All-Star middle infield of second
baseman Joe Panik and shortstop Brandon Crawford.
Heston's bid to no-hit the Mets for a second time in the same season
lasted all of two batters. Hitting second in the top of the first
inning, Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada ended that thought before many
in the sellout crowd found their seats, lining a single to left
field.
Heston allowed just three hits while walking a career-high four and
striking out two.
Cuddyer had two of the Mets' seven hits.
NOTES: Mets LHP Jonathon Niese recorded a quality start in all eight
of his career starts against the Giants. ... In 16 1/3 career
innings against the Mets, Giants RHP Chris Heston has allowed three
hits and no runs. ... San Francisco LHP Madison Bumgarner was one of
13 pitchers named to the National League All-Star team, creating the
possibility of an All-Giants starting battery. C Buster Posey earned
his start in the fan vote. ... Giants 2B Joe Panik and SS Brandon
Crawford were picked by their own manager, Bruce Bochy, to be
All-Star reserves. ... The Mets will be represented in Cincinnati by
RHP Jacob deGrom and possibly RHP Jeurys Familia, who is part of the
five-player Final Vote that will determine the NL squad's last
All-Star on Friday. ... Mets RHP Jenrry Mejia completed his 80-game
PED suspension Monday and is expected to rejoin the team Tuesday.
... Before the game, the Mets promoted OF Kirk Nieuwenhuis from
Triple-A Las Vegas and demoted OF Darrell Ceciliani. Nieuwenhuis,
who batted .100 in major league stints with the Mets and Los Angeles
Angels earlier this season, started in left field and went 1-for-2
with a double and two walks.
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