Scherzer Rebounds, Mets Blank Padres 5-0 in Playoff Rematch

NEW YORK (AP), Max Scherzer shut down San Diego Padres for five inning, following his postseason flop last season. The New York Mets won 5-0 Monday night in a playoff rematch of National League heavyweights.

Francisco Lindor and Jeff McNeil each hit a two-run home run to help the Mets beat Yu Darvish for their first win. Eduardo Escobar also added a sacrifice fly and four relievers completed a two-hitter in opening game of three-game series that featured two of the three most expensive players in baseball.

San Diego's only hit was a clean single by Ha Seong Kim from Scherzer (2-1), with one out in fifth. In a 97-pitch game, the three-time Cy Young Award winner struck six out and walked three. This was after a disappointing loss in Milwaukee last week.

In Game 1 of last October's wild-card round, the Padres defeated Scherzer with four homers each and seven runs in 4 1/3 innings. Darvish won 7-1.

San Diego won the best-of-3 series at Citi Field. In Game 3, Joe Musgrove, Padres pitcher, was given a one-hit shutout by Buck Showalter.

New York returned home for the winter while the Padres made a run at the NL Championship Series, before falling to Philadelphia.

"Last year was last year." I mean, for me, that's what I meant. I've closed that yearbook and it is time to move on," Mets slugger Pete Alonso stated before the game. They're a talented group and so are we. It's a great matchup. But how do you measure? But, measuring stick?

San Diego won three consecutively -- all in Atlanta -- as well as six of the eight overall.

Darvish (0-1), entered 5-0 with a 2.56 ERA over eight regular-season games against the Mets. Brandon Nimmo started a rally with a single in third. McNeil struck Lindor with a pitch and he hit a double to the right.

Darvish was doubled by Mark Canha to start a three-run seventh. New York got help from a bunt single, and a slow roller that barely managed to stay fair at the third-base line. Escobar scored with a sacrifice fly and Lindor scored two runs against Tim Hill, who was relieved.

Darvish was charged for five runs and six hits over 6 1/3 innings.

We all know that we must play well.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR MEMORIES

The Mets performed a video tribute on Seth Lugo's seventh season in New York. He was primarily a reliable reliever during his seven-year tenure. In December, the right-hander signed a $15million, two-year contract to San Diego. He is now 2-0 and has a 1.38 ERA in his two starts this season. Lugo watched the game from the dugout, and received warm applause.

TRAINER'S ROHROOM

Padres: Musgrove (broken big toe) was given a cortisone shot on Sunday. He had injured his shoulder while pitching last Thursday and landed on his left arm making an off-balance throw. Musgrove continued throwing 85 pitches during the game. An MRI showed that Musgrove was healthy. According to Melvin, the right-hander feels much better and could play catch again as soon Tuesday. It's not clear when Musgrove will be back on the mound. Melvin stated that Musgrove is a bit behind. LHP Drew Pomeranz, left elbow flexor strain, is available to start a rehabilitation assignment. RHP Robert Suarez (elbow inflammation), is still experiencing soreness and has been stopped from throwing.

Mets: RF Starling Marte, Mets' catcher, was out of Sunday's game against Miami with a strained cervical. Showalter compared it to whiplash, but was optimistic Marte would be available from the bench.

LHP Ryan Weathers, Padres LHP (0-0, 3.60 ERA), faces LHP David Peterson (0-1; 6.00) in Tuesday's middle game.