Mets at Twins
The New York Mets have a chance to match their longest winning streak of the season when they cap a two-game interleague series at the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday afternoon. Edwin Diaz got slugger Nelson Cruz to pop up with the bases loaded in the ninth to finish off the Mets' 3-2 win in the series opener, giving New York three consecutive victories for the first time since a four-gamer in May.
Michael Conforto had four of the Mets' seven hits and drove in a run in Tuesday's triumph as his club improved to 6-4 against the American League. The Twins have dropped two in a row to see their lead in the AL Central cut to five games over the Cleveland Indians. Cruz's foul pop to end it capped an 0-for-4 night and left him 2-for-22 with eight strikeouts over a six-game span. Minnesota turns to Martin Perez on Wednesday while New York gives the ball to Jason Vargas in a matchup of veteran left-handers.
TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, SNY (New York), FS North (Minnesota)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets LH Jason Vargas (3-5, 4.23 ERA) vs. Twins LH Martin Perez (8-3, 4.26)
Vargas emerged from the break with a clunker at Miami on Friday, giving up a season-high six runs in five innings. He has allowed six home runs over his last five starts after keeping the ball in the yard through his previous four outings. The 36-year-old was pounded for four runs in one inning of relief against the Twins on April 9 but is 8-4 with a 3.80 ERA in his career versus Minnesota.
Perez snapped a six-start winless streak with a victory after six innings of four-riun ball against Texas on July 5. The Venezuela native gave up three runs in two innings of relief at New York on April 10. He is 4-2 with a 3.71 ERA in nine games (eight starts) at home in 2019.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Twins activated 1B C.J. Cron (thumb) and LF Eddie Rosario (ankle) from the 10-day injured list. They placed CF Byron Buxton on the seven-day concussion list and designated RHP Mike Morin for assignment.
2. Diaz has converted five straight save opportunities since an ugly blown save at Philadelphia on June 27.
3. Minnesota INF Jonathan Schoop homered Tuesday and is 6-for-14 with two home runs and two doubles over his last four home games.