August 20th 2014 -- Mets 8, A's 5

A Lucas Duda 3 run homer, highlighted a 5 run 3^rd inning for the Mets Wednesday afternoon, the Mets beat the A’s in Oakland 8-5.  The Mets got out to a 7-2 lead in the 4^th inning when Curtis Granderson and Daniel Murphy added RBI singles chasing A’s starter Jeff Samardzija  after 3 2/3.  A two run error on a inning ending grounder by Daniel Murphy allowed 2 runs to score for the A’s in the 4th.  Eric Campbell went 2 for 3 on the day with a solo homer, his 3^rd on the year. Duda’s was his team leading 23^rd. Zach Wheeler started for the Mets and struggled to get through his 5 2/3 innings. He allowed 4 hits, 4 runs (only 2 earned) walking 3 and striking out 3. Josh Edgin relieved Wheeler in the 6^th and pitched into the 7^th, Vic Black finished the inning. In the 8^th Black was pulled and after allowing the 5^th run when he walked Sam Fuld with the bases drunk. Jeurrys Familia came on and got out of a bases loaded jam to preserve the lead in the 8^th and retired the side in the 9^th for this 4^th save.  Wheeler gets the win, his 6^th straight and he now stands at 9-8 on they year, Smaradzija takes the loss falling to 5-10. With the win the Mets improve to 60-68 on the year and 30-36 on the road. Thursday is an off day. Friday night the Mets are in the southland to start a three game series against the Dodgers in Chavez Ravine. Jon Niese (7-8  3.50) goes for the Mets. The Dodgers starter is TBD.