Jonathon Niese Shuts Out Phillies

With Matt Harvey likely lost for the 2014 season, the Mets will need Jonathon Niese to step up and be the ace. Well, Niese began assuming that mantle Tuesday night as he pitched a complete game shutout over the Phillies.

Niese was also responsible for most of the offense. He scored from second base in the third inning, running through a stop sign by third base coach Tim Teufel to give the Mets a 1-0 lead.

In the sixth inning with the Mets up 2-0, Niese came to the plate with the bases loaded and two outs. He delivered a double to left-center that cleared the bases as he padded the lead to 5-0.

It was more than enough as Jonathon Niese shut down the Phillies on three hits, striking out five and walking one. It was the first shutout of the season for Niese and the second of his career; the first came in 2010.

The win also ended a five-game losing streak by the Mets. All in all, an excellent night for a team still reeling from the news of Harvey’s devastating diagnosis.