The Sports Xchange
Aug 8, 2017
NEW YORK -- Rookie right-hander Chris Flexen earned his first major league win and collected his first career hit Tuesday night, when the New York Mets delivered three homers in a 5-4 win over the Texas Rangers at Citi Field.
The Mets (50-60) snapped a four-game losing streak and won for just the second time in the last nine games. The Rangers (53-59) have lost three of four and seven of 10.
Flexen (1-1), who didn't throw more than three innings in either of his first two starts since being recalled from Double-A Binghamton on July 27, allowed three runs on four hits and three walks while striking out four over 5 2/3 innings. He also laced a double to left field in the fifth.
Three Mets relievers combined to limit the Rangers to two hits over the final 3 1/3 innings. A.J. Ramos gave up a two-out homer in the ninth to Robinson Chirinos before earning his 21st save and his first since New York acquired him from the Miami Marlins on July 28.
Michael Conforto hit his sixth leadoff homer of the season for the Mets, who also received a solo blast from Yoenis Cespedes later in the first and a two-run shot from Travis d'Arnaud in the second. Asdrubal Cabrera added an RBI double in the seventh.
Joey Gallo homered in the fifth and laced an RBI double in the sixth for the Rangers. Adrian Beltre homered earlier in the sixth.
Right-hander A.J. Griffin (5-3), pressed into duty a day earlier than expected when scheduled started Andrew Cashner was scratched due to a stiff neck, took the loss after allowing four runs on four hits and three walks while striking out three over five innings.
NOTES: The Rangers placed RHP Keone Kela (right shoulder) on the 10-day disabled list and purchased the contract of RHP Ricky Rodriguez from Double-A Frisco. ... The Rangers traded RHP Ernesto Frieri to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for cash considerations. Frieri had a 1.42 ERA in seven games at Triple-A Round Rock. ... Mets RHP Matt Harvey (shoulder) threw a 20-pitch simulated game. It was the first time he faced batters since going on the disabled list June 16. ... Mets RF/1B Jay Bruce returned to the lineup after missing two games due to a stiff neck.