Hellickson’s streak ends, Phillies routed by Mets again

He guided young starter Vince Velasquez and four relievers as they quieted a streaking Mets lineup that was minus ailing sluggers Yoenis Cespedes (quad) and Neil Walker (back).

The official injury for Cabrera is a sore left knee, according to the Mets. The 29-year-old pitched through trouble throughout his abbreviated start, and served up a pair of booming home runs in the Phillies 12-1 loss to the Mets. Robert Gsellman (1-0, 0.00 ERA) will make his first big league start for the Mets. Mets manager Terry Collins joked about the internal competition on the team, noting that right before the homer, bench coach Dick Scott predicted Cespedes would not let his teammates get the better of him in this game. He initially appeared to hurt his left arm, which banged against the midsection of Phillies first baseman Tommy Joseph as Cabrera ducked to avoid a high throw from third baseman Maikel Franco.

Syndergaard walked two and struck out seven.

Pinch-hitter Peter Bourjos was hit by a pitch from Robles with the bases loaded, forcing in another run. He reached 11 career home runs faster than anyone in major league history – 23 games, including two hitless games past year.

Nationals 8, Rockies 5: Jayson Werth and Daniel Murphy hit solo homers and drove in two runs each, and Gio Gonzalez earned his 100th career victory for Washington.

Kelly Johnson lined a single to right field, and Cabrera was noticeably limping as he advanced to second. The Mets tagged Hellickson for five runs on seven hits in four innings.

Following Hellickson’s second-shortest start of the season (he allowed five runs in four innings), the Phillies rotation has a 5.57 ERA since the All-Star break.

Syndergaard tossed two-hit ball over seven innings and Alejandro De Aza hit a two-run double for the Mets, who won for the sixth time in seven games as they attempt to make a push in the NL wild-card chase.

Cabrera missed 17 games with a strained patella tendon in his left knee, returning from the disabled list with Cespedes on August 19. The bleach-blonde infielder has been red-hot since returning from his knee injury, hitting.438 (14-for-32) over eight games.

Ellis was acquired Thursday from the Los Angeles Dodgers in a trade for longtime Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz. Jose Reyes shifted over to play shortstop.

“It’s like they know what’s coming”, Mackanin said. He even crossed home plate twice! The revamped offense has allowed the team to win six of its last seven games. The Mets won the last game 12-1, and NY leads the series 2-0.

Syndergaard started the Mets’ three-run fourth with a booming one-out double to center. NY is also 2-5 in Montero’s last seven home starts, and 2-7 in Montero’s last nine starts overall.

Collins said RHP Rafael Montero will be recalled from Double-A Binghamton to start Monday night against Miami in place of struggling RHP Jacob deGrom, who is skipping a turn.