Duke baseball: Marcus Stroman gets New York Mets much needed victory

Duke baseball ace Marcus Stroman picked up a much-needed win for the New York Mets. 

The struggles of the New York Mets (61-63) continued, and The Amazins once again turned to former Duke baseball ace Marcus Stroman (9-12) for a major performance.

And once again the Blue Devil delivered, while getting help from his offense.

The Mets only posted two runs in Stroman’s last start against the San Francisco Giants (80-44), and New York gave its starting pitcher on Sunday afternoon three runs before he took the mound against the Los Angeles Dodgers (78-47).

Marcus Stroman picked up the win in the Mets’ 7-2 victory as he tossed six innings in which he scattered four hits, two runs, two walks, and struck out six.

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Both of Los Angeles’ runs came in the fourth inning on a two-run single from former National League Most Valuable Player Cody Bellinger to bring the Dodgers within one, but the Mets could expand on its lead, scoring the final four runs of the game over the last three innings.

Stroman now holds a 2.85 ERA in 26 starts.

New York Mets will continue to need best effort from former Duke baseball ace

There is still one more series in the Mets’ 13 straight games against the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants as New York will welcome the Giants into Citi Field for a three-game set beginning on Tuesday.

Marcus Stroman is not scheduled to pitch for New York in that series. He is slated to be back on the rubber against the Washington Nationals on Saturday, August 28.

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The Mets are now a whopping seven games back of the Atlanta Braves for first place in the National League East after holding a three and a half game lead in the division on August 1.

New York has lost eight of its last ten games while Atlanta has won 17 of its last 20 games and nine in a row.