Dodgers 7, Mets 2
NEW YORK -- Left-hander Ian Thomas and four relievers combined on a six-hitter and the Los Angeles Dodgers scored most of their runs in the first three innings of a 7-2 victory over the New York Mets on Friday night.
Thomas (1-1) became the 13th different starting pitcher used by Los Angeles this season. In his first career start, he allowed one run and three hits in five innings.
Thomas replaced scheduled starter Zack Greinke, who might pitch Saturday or Sunday. Greinke was placed on the paternity list Friday to be with his wife and first child in Los Angeles.
Thomas had few issues keeping the Mets quiet. He struck out five without a walk and threw 49 of 81 pitches for strikes.
Former Mets third baseman Justin Turner supported Thomas with a three-hit night, including an RBI double and solo home run in his first two at-bats.
Center fielder Joc Pederson added an RBI double and right fielder Yasiel Puig slugged a two-run homer as the Dodgers improved to 5-3 on a 10-game road trip. Shortstop Jimmy Rollins added his second home run in as many nights in the eighth.
New York avoided being shut out for the second straight game after getting three hits against Clayton Kershaw on Thursday. The Mets called up outfielder Michael Conforto to the roster and he was 0-for-3 with an RBI groundout.
New York's other run came in the sixth on a single by third baseman Daniel Murphy against Joel Peralta.
The Mets had the tying run on deck with two outs in the sixth, but Juan Nicasio fanned first baseman Lucas Duda. Nicasio also pitched a hitless seventh before Pedro Baez and Josh Ravin tossed a hitless inning each.
The Mets lost for the sixth time in eight games and left-hander Jon Niese (5-9) turned in the shortest outing by any New York starting pitcher this season, allowing six runs and eight hits in three innings.
Niese's status was considered a question mark before the game as his wife was slated to go into labor at some point this weekend.
Los Angeles scored three runs in the first two innings.
The Dodgers took a 1-0 lead when Turner doubled to deep center field. They loaded the bases with nobody out in the second and scored their second run on a double play grounder by Thomas. Niese was one strike from getting out of the second, but Pederson doubled to right field past the diving attempt of first baseman Lucas Duda.
Turner made it 4-0 when he opened the third by driving Niese's full-count offering into the left field seats for his 13th home run of the season. After first baseman Scott Van Slyke singled, Puig drove a 1-0 changeup into the left field seats for his sixth home run of the year, extending the lead to 6-0.
New York scored its first run in the fifth when Conforto had an RBI groundout to second base in his second career at-bat.
NOTES: LF Michael Conforto is the first Mets position player to appear in the majors one year after being drafted. The previous three instances for New York were with RHPs Eddie Kunz (2008), Mike Pelfrey (2006) and Calvin Schiraldi (1984). ... Los Angeles manager Don Mattingly said RHP Zack Greinke will pitch this weekend, but he was unsure whether it would be Saturday or Sunday. Greinke's wife, Emily, gave birth to a boy, Bode Nicholas, on Thursday in Los Angeles. ... If Greinke pitches Sunday, LHP Brett Anderson likely would start Tuesday, Mattingly said. ... Los Angeles OF Alex Guerrero (back stiffness) was a late scratch. ... To make room for Conforto on the 40-man roster, RHP Rafael Montero was moved to the 60-day disabled list. Montero has been on the disabled list with a right rotator cuff injury since May 14.