Daisuke Matsuzaka Strong Again, Mets Win Game 2

It might be time to put the pitchforks away and accept Daisuke Matsuzaka as part of the Mets rotation for the rest of the season. He had a second solid start Saturday night as the Mets earned a split of their doubleheader with the Marlins.

The Mets made sure early on that they were not shut out, like they were in game one. Daniel Murphy singled with one out and stole second. He scored on a single down the left field line by Wilmer Flores.

In the third, Murphy and Lucas Duda connected for back-to-back solo home runs to extend the lead to 3-0. Both were bombs hitting advertising signs above the Marlins bullpen in right.

The Marlins got on the board with a long ball of their own off the bat of Justin Ruggiano to make it 3-1.

Daisuke Matsuzaka threw seven innings, allowing one run on just two hits. He struck out three and walked one. He did hit two batters — both times Placido Polanco. Oddly, Carlos Torres hit Donovan Solano twice in game one. Dice-K’s ERA, which stood at 10.95 after his first three terrible starts, is now at 6.12. He earned his first win against three loses.

LaTroy Hawkins closed it out in the ninth for his 10th save of the season.

Mets win 3-1.