Zack Wheeler pitched one-run ball over seven innings, Justin Wilson navigated four difficult outs for his first save since April and the Mets beat the Arizona Diamondbacks, 3-2, on Tuesday night.
New York has taken the first two games in this key four-game set between National League wild-card contenders. Arizona opened the day two and half games behind the Chicago Cubs for the second wild card; the Mets came into the game four behind Chicago.
Diamondbacks rookie Zac Gallen (3-5) pitched three-run ball over six innings, becoming the second N.L. pitcher to begin his career with 14 starts allowing three earned runs or fewer. Montreal’s Steve Rogers had 18 such consecutive outings in 1973.
But Todd Frazier gave the Mets all they’d need by driving in three runs with a pair of doubles.
With Mets closer Seth Lugo unavailable after pitching two innings Monday, Wilson go this first save opportunity since April 2. The left-hander allowed two singles in the ninth, before inducing two groundouts and striking out Wilmer Flores to end the game. Deposed closer Edwin Díaz was warming up in the ninth, but the Mets stuck with Wilson even as he ran into trouble.
Eduardo Escobar homered off reliever Brad Brach and drove in two for Arizona. He has 112 R.B.I.
Wheeler (11-7) struck out seven and allowed seven hits and two walks. The right-hander, a free agent after the season, has a 1.50 E.R.A. over his past three starts.
Frazier hit a two-run double in the second inning and anther run-scoring double off the left field wall in the fourth. Robinson Canó added two hits and is 8 for 18 since returning from the injured list following a torn left hamstring.
Arizona got its lone run off Wheeler in the first. Ketel Marte led off with a single, stole second and scored on Escobar’s single.