PHOENIX – Tylor Megill’s training wheels have gradually loosened to the point of disappearing.
With every start this season, the Mets right-hander has increased his workload in terms of length and pitch, mostly passing every test. Even hesitations about letting Megill face a line-up for a third time have dissipated.
On Sunday, the Mets got a rebound performance from Megill that advanced into the seventh inning and led the team to a 6-2 win over the Diamondbacks at Chase Field.
The Mets won their fifth straight series to start a season, matching a franchise record set in 2018.
Pete Alonso and Mark Canha celebrate the Mets’ victory over the Diamondbacks on Sunday.USA TODAY Sports
Megill pitched 6 ²/₃ innings and allowed two earned runs on five hits with seven strikeouts and a walk. It was removed after 92 pitches.
On his previous start, Megill allowed four early runs against the Giants but still managed to work through six innings and increase his pitch count to 87. Megill has a 2.35 ERA in four starts and has provided more than adequate coverage for the Mets as Jacob deGrom is on the injured list.
Megill received a cushion in the seventh as the Mets used two walks, two hit batters and a single to score twice and build a 4-1 lead. After James McCann was plunked down by Edwin Uceta to load bases, Travis Jankowski walked. Starling Marte was drilled by Taylor Widener to force the second run of the inning. JD Davis blasted a solo homer in the eighth for another run. The lead was extended to 6-2 by Sergio Alcantara’s field error on a McCann grounder.
Marte’s speed put the Mets ahead in sixth place. After stroking a one-out double, Marte stole third place, scoring after the throw eluded catcher Jose Herrera Alcantara, who attempted a swipe tag. Marte’s stolen base was his fourth this season.
Tylor Megill earned his third win of the season as the Mets defeated the Diamondbacks on Sunday. Getty Images
Francisco Lindor’s RBI single in the first gave the Mets a 1-0 lead. Mark Canha reached Bumgarner with an infield single before the game against Madison and tied for second place with Alcantara’s wild throw. Lindor delivered a one-off single that earned him 12 RBIs that season.
Christian Walker’s 467-foot bomb to left center leveled at 1-1 in the fourth. Megill fell 2-1 down the count and grooved a 97-mph fastball that Walker crushed for his fourth homer of the season.