Your Thursday morning dose of New York Mets and Major League Baseball news, notes, and links.
Meet the Mets
Apparently the Mets have an offense now? They scored eight runs yesterday in an 8-5 victory over the A's and are off today before a weekend set against the Dodgers begins tomorrow night.
Happy Recaps: Amazin' Avenue short, long, New York Times, MLB.com, ESPN NY, Daily News, Star-Ledger, Post, Newsday
It's looking less and less likely the Mets and Cubs will swap players, despite rumors that have been stirring.
Bad news: Jon Niese is 2-4 with a 4.96 ERA since coming off the disabled list. Good news: he's never lost to the Dodgers.
Bartolo Colon will return from the bereavement list on Sunday following the loss of his mother.
Jenrry Mejia wasn't available to close yesterday's game because of a stiff back.
Around the NL East
The Nationals just can't lose, can they? They beat Arizona 3-2 on a Anthony Rendon walk-off hit to extend their winning streak to nine.
The Braves' winning streak ended at five, as a miscue in the outfield by Justin Upton led to a Gaby Sanchez walk-off sac fly to give the Pirates a 3-2 win. In Talking Chop's words, the Braves went full Barves.
The Phillies took care of the Mariners 4-3 behind a three-run fourth inning in which only one run was earned.
The Marlins nearly pulled off a late comeback, scoring two in the bottom of the ninth behind a pair of home runs but failing to get the tying run in a 5-4 loss to the Rangers.
Around the Majors
A big blow to the AL West-leading Angels: Garrett Richards suffered a left knee injury covering first, and early indications are that it's quite serious.
The Giants-Cubs game from Tuesday, called four-and-a-half hours after the tarp debacle and originally ruled official with the Cubs ahead will be continued today after the Giants won their protest.
Here's Part II (5-1) of the 10 most underrated players in the game from Grant Brisbee. Spoiler alert: no Mets.
It looks like Yadier Molina is making steps toward a return to the Cardinals, just in time for the pennant race.
Yesterday At Amazin' Avenue
Jeff Paternostro reports on three young pitchers doing their thing with the Cyclones.
Here are some names that might be available for the Mets on the waiver wire.
How do Mets fans and non-Mets fans view Terry Collins and Sandy Alderson?
Get to know the 330 rule, which you probably didn't know existed until Adam Rubin tweeted about it yesterday.
Dana Eveland got a cortisone shot in his elbow yesterday and is shelved until at least tomorrow.
Curtis Granderson has really struggled this year.
And Jeffrey and Chris are back with the latest episode of the podcast.
If you read an article or find a link that you think would be a great addition to a future edition of Mets Morning News, please forward it to our tips email address tips@grission.com and we'll try to add it in.