Ike Davis Hits 2 Homers, Game Winner in 9th; Jeremy Hefner Solid

Jeremy Hefner pitched the game of his life Sunday against the Astros. He was on the mound in the ninth, going for his first career complete game and shutout. However those milestones will have to wait for another day as Ike Davis played the role of hero, hitting a game-winning home run, his second of the day, in the bottom of the ninth.

The Mets got on the board in the fourth when Davis hit a massive solo homer into the upper deck in right field to give the Mets a 1-0 lead.

That was the only run the Mets could manage off of Astros starter Lucas Harrell. He went seven innings, allowing just two hits and two walks to Mets batters.

Hefner allowed at infield single to Jose Altuve to lead off the ninth, who then tried to steal second. He got an awful jump — any halfway decent throw would have had him. However Kelly Shoppach threw wide of second. Ruben Tejada had to go get it and the swipe tag was late. Marwin Gonzalez followed with a double to left that went off of new left fielder Lucas Duda’s glove after a long run. It really wasn’t Duda’s fault, however you could argue that a more experienced outfielder might have had it. That tied the score at one.

And that was it for Hefner. He went eight innings, allowing one run on five hits. He walked one and struck out seven Astros — a heartbreaking no-decision for Hefner.

Robert Carson came on to get the first out of the ninth. Bobby Parnell was then brought in. He allowed a single to left to Ben Francisco and Duda came up throwing, hoping to make up for his earlier play. He fired a strike to Shoppach, who did a great job blocking the plate (also making up for his poor throw to second) and Gonzalez was out at home, keeping the score tied.

In the bottom of the ninth David hit his second home run to win the game. Unlike his earlier mammoth blast, this one just cleared the wall in right, but it was just as good. Davis now has 24 homers.

The 2-1 win gives the Mets just their second series win since the All-Star break, their first one at home. It is also the first time they have won back-t0-back games since August 1-2.