Good morning Mets fans! The New York Mets (73-70) bounced back from a series loss to the Philadelphia Phillies (74-69) by winning the first game of their four-game series with the Arizona Diamondbacks (75-69) by a score of 3-1. In doing so, the Mets held onto their slim Wild Card chances.

Latest Mets News

Tuesday’s matchup of the Mets versus the D-backs will a Zack Attack. Zack Wheeler (10-7, 4.33 ERA) will toe the rubber opposite Zac Gallen (3-4, 2.50). First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. EDT with game coverage on SNY, WCBS 880 and ESPN Deportes 1050.

Joel Sherman and Kevin Kernan of the New York Post reported that Noah Syndergaard was livid that Wilson Ramos caught him on Sunday.

The Mets put together a tribute video for Wilmer Flores‘ return to Citi Field.

Pete Alonso reached base for his 34th consecutive game on Monday. That broke a Mets single-season record for most consecutive games in which a Met has reached base safely.

Alonso also hit his 46th and 47th home runs of the season to make him the lone possessor of the MLB home run lead. The next closest, Mike Trout, currently has 45.

Laura Albanese of Newsday wrote about how Jacob deGrom is making a late run at his second consecutive Cy Young award.

The Brooklyn Cyclones fell to the Lowell Spinners 3-1 in Game 2 of the New York Penn League championship series. The two teams are now set to face off in a winner-take-all Game 3.

Latest MLB News

David Ortiz made a surprise appearance to Fenway Park on Monday to throw out the first pitch. He received a standing ovation from the crowd, who got to see Big Papi for the first time since he was shot in the Dominican Republic back in June.

Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reported that Aaron Hicks, who was in California getting a second opinion on his right elbow, may be done for the season. Hoch also reported that Mike Tauchman has a Grade 2 calf strain and will miss six-to-eight weeks.

Kyle Glaser of Baseball America wrote about Gavin Lux, who was named the “2019 Baseball America Minor League Player of the Year.”

Levi Weaver of The Athletic wrote a story on Dave Raymond, the television voice of the Texas Rangers.

Javier Baez is not likely to play during the month of September, but could come back during the playoffs in October per Jesse Rogers of ESPN 1000.

The Los Angeles Angels announced that Trout underwent a cryoablation procedure Monday morning to address a neuroma in his right foot. They consider him day to day.

In the AL Wild Card race, the Tampa Bay Rays sit in the first Wild Card spot with a 1.5-game lead and the Oakland Athletics hold a 0.5-game lead over the Cleveland Indians for the second Wild Card spot.

In the NL Wild Card race, the Washington Nationals hold a 2.5-game lead in the first Wild Card spot and the Chicago Cubs hold a 2.0-game lead in the second Wild Card spot. The Milwaukee Brewers (75-68; 2.0 games back), Diamondbacks (75-69; 2.5 games back), Phillies (74-69; 3.0 game back) and Mets (73-70; 4.0 games back) are all on the outside looking in.

Latest NL East News

The Atlanta Braves (90-55) remain atop the NL East standings, followed by the Nationals (79-63; 9.5 games back), Phillies (74-69; 15.0 games back), Mets (73-70; 16.0 games back) and Miami Marlins (51-92; 38.0 games back).

The Braves beat the Phillies 7-2 and the Marlins fell to the Milwaukee Brewers 8-3. The Nationals had the day off.

Sam Fortier of The Washington Post mentioned how the Nationals’ remaining schedule does them no favors as they look to protect their hold of the first Wild Card spot.

Latest on MMO/MMN

Tim Ryder discussed the current state of the Mets, their series loss to the Phillies, their offseason plans and the Cyclones’ path to the New York Penn League championship series with Michael Mayer and Jacob Resnick in the latest installment of the Simply Amazin’ podcast.

Matt Musico analyzed Ramos’ numbers on the season, which look much better overall after his strong second half.

John Sheridan continued his “3 Up, 3 Down” series following the Mets’ three-game set with the Phillies.

Sheridan also wrote about the confusion surrounding Seth Lugo‘s absence during the Mets-Phillies series.

Ryan Finkelstein wrote about Jeff McNeil and Wheeler who were the “MMO Players of the Week.”

Mayer wrote about the Cyclones’ Game 1 victory over the Spinners in the NYPL finals.

This Day in Mets History

1963: Carl Willey retired all three Alou brothers (Jesus Alou, Matty Alou and Felipe Alou) in the same inning.

1969: The Mets moved into first place for the first time in franchise history after sweeping the Montreal Expos in a doubleheader.

1985: A benches-clearing incident ensued after George Foster was hit by one of Danny Cox‘s pitches in the first inning. Moments later, Howard Johnson hit a grand slam which helped the Mets beat the St. Louis Cardinals 5-4, and take a one-game lead over them in a tight NL East race.

Birthdays: Phillip Evans turns 27, Neil Walker turns 34, Anthony Swarzak turns 34 and Andrew Brown turns 35.