Wheeler pitches Mets to seventh consecutive win

[August 02, 2019]  Zack Wheeler pitched seven scoreless innings Thursday afternoon as the surging New York Mets completed a three-game sweep of the host Chicago White Sox with a 4-0 win.

Robinson Cano homered and finished with two RBIs for the Mets, who have won a season-high seven consecutive games to move within two games of .500 at 53-55 -- the closest they have been to the break-even mark since June 15. New York has the second-best record in the National League (13-5) since the All-Star break.

The White Sox lost their fourth straight game to fall to an AL-worst 4-16 since the All-Star break.

Wheeler (8-6), whose name was often mentioned in trade rumors leading up to Wednesday's deadline, allowed just four hits -- all singles -- and walked none while striking out seven. The White Sox didn't get a runner beyond first base against Wheeler, who retired the first 11 batters before Jose Abreu singled off the glove of diving shortstop Amed Rosario.

Luis Avilan pitched 1 1/3 innings of relief for the Mets, and Jeurys Familia recorded the final two outs.

The Mets' starting pitchers in the series -- Wheeler, Noah Syndergaard and Jacob deGrom -- allowed just one earned run over 21 1/3 innings against the White Sox.

Cano, who entered Thursday with just two hits in his last 30 at-bats dating to his first career three-homer game on July 23, provided Wheeler all the support he'd need with an opposite field homer in the second. It was his 10th homer of the season.

White Sox starting pitcher Dylan Cease (84) delivers the ball in the first inning against the New York Mets at Guaranteed Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Quinn Harris-USA TODAY Sports

Cano and Wilson Ramos teamed up to add insurance in the sixth, when Cano doubled home Jeff McNeil immediately before Ramos singled to drive in Pete Alonso. Cano was waved home with two outs, and the throw from right fielder Leury Garcia beat the second baseman by plenty, but he scored when catcher Welington Castillo dropped the throw for an error.

Ramos also had two hits.

White Sox rookie Dylan Cease (1-4) took the loss after allowing the four runs (three earned) on seven hits and two walks. He struck out six over a career-high seven innings.

--Field Level Media

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