The Sports Xchange
Aug 23, 2017
NEW YORK -- The New York Mets' youth movement paid dividends Wednesday night, when rookie right-hander Chris Flexen earned the win by tossing a career-high six innings and fellow rookies Brandon Nimmo and Dominic Smith combined to score all four runs in a 4-2 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks at Citi Field.
The Mets (55-70) won for just the second time in the last 10 games. With the victory, skipper Terry Collins tied Bobby Valentine for second place on the franchise's all-time managerial win list (536).
The Diamondbacks (69-58) have lost 10 of 15.
Flexen (3-2), making his sixth career start, allowed two runs on six hits and four walks while striking out five. Jerry Blevins got one out in the seventh before rookie Paul Sewald retired all five batters he faced. A.J. Ramos recorded his 23rd save, and his third since being traded to the Mets on July 28, with a hitless ninth.
Nimmo, who has been playing every day since Curtis Granderson was traded Friday, reached base in all four plate appearances via three walks and a double. Smith, who became the Mets' everyday first baseman upon his promotion Aug. 11, walked and scored in the fourth on a single by shortstop Amed Rosario -- another rookie who has played full-time since he was recalled Aug. 1. Smith later homered in the sixth.
Michael Conforto, in the midst of his first full season in the majors, had a pair of RBI singles. Rosario finished with two hits.
J.D. Martinez had an RBI single in the first for the Diamondbacks while Chris Iannetta homered in the sixth. David Peralta reached base four times via three singles and a walk. He also stole a base and scored a run.
Zack Godley (5-7) took the loss after allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits and four walks while striking out five over five innings.
NOTES: Mets RHP Jeurys Familia (blood clot in right shoulder) threw a scoreless inning for Class A Brooklyn. It was the second outing in as many nights for Familia, who is expected to return to the Mets during a 10-game road trip that begins Friday. ... Mets LHP Steven Matz underwent season-ending surgery Wednesday to reposition the ulnar nerve in his left elbow. ... Diamondbacks SS Nick Ahmed (broken right hand) went 0-for-2 on Tuesday night in his third rehab game for the rookie-level Arizona League Diamondbacks. ... Diamondbacks LHP Robbie Ray (concussion) is scheduled to be activated from the disabled list and start Thursday's series finale. Ray was hit by a 108 mph line drive July 28.