The return of Jason Vargas to the New York Mets got off to a miserable start with a disabled list stint and a 8.60 ERA in the first half.
Vargas, 35, has fared much better recently with a 3.11 ERA in his last seven starts and has a 4.37 ERA overall in the second half with a respectable 1.23 WHIP.
On Thursday night, the veteran lefty was cruising through five innings with a one-hitter and eight strikeouts. He allowed a two-run homer to Anthony Rendon in the fifth though he still left the game after another good start with a 3-2 lead.
Vargas would finish the night going 5.2 innings allowing two runs on only three hits, two walks and struck out eight. He also went 1-for-2 with a run scored at the plate in the Mets extra inning 5-4 victory.
The Mets are on the hook for $8 million next year for Vargas so him turning into a competent back-end starter is a must if they want to contender in 2019.
