Each night in the 2016 baseball season, we'll run down the top news, facts and highlights from action around Major League Baseball.
The Mets' third-inning outburst Friday helped them crush the Giants in a resounding 13-1 victory and extend their winning streak to seven.
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Leading New York was Yoenis Cespedes, who hit a grand slam and a two- run single in the third. He became the first MLB player with a six-RBI inning since Kendrys Morales in 2012.
While facing Giants starter Jake Peavy and reliever Mike Broadway in the third inning, the Mets sent 15 batters to the plate, faced 66 pitches, had eight hits, four walks and scored 12 runs. The dozen runs scored in one inning is a franchise record.
A Michael Conforto RBI double, a Neil Walker run-scoring single, an Asdrubal Cabrera two-run double, and RBI singles from Curtis Granderson and Conforto also gave the Mets scores.
Player of the night:
Gerardo Parra, Rockies — Parra doubled for the Rockies in the eighth and ninth innings to help clinch the 9-0 win against the Diamondbacks. He finished the night 2-for-5 with two RBIs and a run scored.
Highlight:
The Cubs' Matt Szczur hit the first grand slam of his career Friday against the Braves.
Three things to know:
— With their 17-5 record, the Cubs are off to their best start since the 1907 season, when the team started 18-4.
— Ichiro Suzuki collected two hits to bring his career total to 2,945, moving him into 33rd place all-time ahead of Frank Robinson. He also had his 500th stolen base as the Marlins defeated the Brewers 6-3.
— Trevor Story hit his 10th home run of the season in the fifth inning against the Diamondbacks. Story tied Jose Abreu for the league's April rookie record for most home runs.
What's next:
Nationals (15-7) at Cardinals (12-11), 2:15 p.m. ET: Right-hander Joe Ross will take the mound for Washington after more than a week off dealing with a blister on his finger. However, he's been dominant when healthy, with an 0.54 ERA in 16 2/3 innings. Meanwhile, Cardinals lefty Jaime Garcia has allowed just two runs over his past 12 innings. He has a 3.24 ERA.
Blue Jays (11-13) at Rays (10-12), 6:10 p.m. ET: With a 5-4 record and a 3.28 ERA in 16 career starts against the Blue Jays, Rays pitcher Chris Archer has faced Toronto more than any other team in his career. Unfortunately for the Jays, that means it will be hard to surprise Archer. Toronto will counter with lefty J.A. Happ, who was hit in the head with a line drive at Tropicana Field in 2013. He has a 2-2 record with a 4.32 ERA against the Rays.