July 4th 2015 -- Dodgers 4, Mets 3

Independence Day at Chavez Ravine the Met offensive was an easy mark for Zach Greinke as the Dodgers beat the Mets 4-3.  On paper it was a long awaited pitcher’s duel between Matt Harvey and Greinke. In actuality Greinke dominated.  In the 2^nd the Dodgers took a 1-0 lead when Yasiel Puig scored on a fielder’s choice by Jimmy Rollins. In the 5^th the Dodgers scored twice. Adrian Gonzalez hit his second solo homer in 2 days, his 15^th on the year to make it 2-0.  In the 5^th with runners on 1^st and 2^nd Alberto Callaspo singled home Yasmani Grandal and it was 3-0. The Dodgers scored their final run in the 7^th off Alex Torres on an RBI infield single by Callaspo. The Mets broke through after Greinke left the game. They scored two runs in the top of the 8^th.  Juan Lagares and Daniel Murphy singled. Lucas Duda then doubled home Lagares off lefty Adam Liberatore.  Wilmer Flores 3^rd hit of the game brought home Murphy and made it 4-2. In the 9^th the Mets made a run at it scoring their final run.  Ruben Tejada got hit by a pitch. Kevin Plawecki singled.  Tejada moved to 3^rd on a fly out to right and scored on a sac-fly by Lagares.  J.P. Howell come on and struck out Curtis Granderson to earn his 1^st save. Harvey struggled the entire game going 5 allowing 7 hits 3 runs (all earned) walking 5 and striking out 4.  He takes the loss falling to 7-6.  Greinke continues his personal hot streak increasing his personal scoreless innings streak. He went 7 scoreless allowing 4 hits striking out 4. He improves to 7-2 and his ML leading ERA drops to 1.48.  The Mets managed 9 hits on the day. Flores went 3 for 4 with an RBI, Plawecki went 2 for 4. With the loss the Mets fall to 41-41 and are just 12-27 on the road.  With the loss they now fall 4 ½ games behind the 1^st place Nationals.  The Braves won and are now trailing the Mets by ½ games in third place.  Sunday is the finale of the series. Steven Matz (1-0 2.35) goes for the Mets, Mike Bolsinger (4-2 2.76) goes for the Dodgers.