Struggling Mets 'hoping to build' on winning start to July - ESPN

NEW YORK — No team was happier to flip the calendar on Saturday than the New York Mets.

Justin Verlander pitched seven steady innings for his first victory in nearly six weeks, and slumping rookie Francisco Alvarez hit the first of three quick homers that powered the struggling Mets to a 4-1 win over the San Francisco Giants.

«It's July. We've got July off to a good start. We're hoping to build on it,» manager Buck Showalter said. «There's a real accountability to trying to get where we want to get. The potential's still there for us.»

Brandon Nimmo and Francisco Lindor launched back-to-back shots as the Mets went deep three times in a span of four batters against Anthony DeSclafani (4-8) in the third.

«Sometimes in the baseball world, you don't even know what day it is,» Nimmo said. «But sure, if the guys want to look at it as it's a new month and, hey, this is a clean slate — anything that's positive for me, I'm all behind.»

Tommy Pham added an RBI double off Sean Manaea in the fourth, and New York (37-46) earned a much-needed win after going 6-19 in its previous 25 games.

«I'm glad June's over,» Showalter said before the game.

The 40-year-old Verlander (3-4) gave up five hits, struck out six and didn't allow an earned run for his 247th victory and first since May 21 against Cleveland.

The three-time Cy Young Award winner was 0-2 in his previous six starts.

«It wasn't perfect, but I was able to make pitches when I needed to and felt a lot better than last time,» Verlander said. «Definitely a huge step in the right direction and just trying to build off that momentum.»

The right-hander has a 0.84 ERA in his last five starts at Citi Field.

«I thought he did a really good job of mixing it up, keeping hitters off balance,