Mets 5, Brewers 0: Offense a no-show for ninth time this season, more than all of 2017

This is how you beat the Milwaukee Brewers. You do not let them get to their lock-down bullpen with a lead.

In control from the outset Thursday night behind the strong six-inning outing of left-hander Steven Matz, the New York Mets breezed to a 5-0 victory that cooled off the previously streaking Brewers at Miller Park.

The Brewers, who had been swinging the bats better in recent weeks, were shut out for the ninth time, one more than all of last season.

Matz entered the game with a 1-3 record and 4.42 earned run average, and had not pitched scoreless ball in any of his previous eight starts. In six innings, he allowed four hits, all singles, with three walks and three strikeouts. 

Box score:Mets 5, Brewers 0

ANALYSIS:Rather than worry about getting blanked again, Brewers give Matz credit

NOTES:Tyler Saladino earns more playing time by swinging hot bat

MLB:Live scoreboard, box scores, standings, statistics

Pitching for the first time since April 29 after recovering from rotator cuff inflammation, Zach Davies was holding his own until a three-run rally in the fifth ended his night. Davies allowed six hits and two walks while getting charged with four runs.

Mets leadoff hitter Brandon Nimmo (4 for 4, walk) had his swing going, yanking a double into the right-field corner to open the game and ripping a triple into the same spot to lead off the third inning. The three-bagger led to the first run of the game when Wilmer Flores later drove a sacrifice fly to deep right.

The Brewers had a chance to answer in the bottom of the inning when Lorenzo Cain led off with a soft single to right and Christian Yelich was nicked by a pitch from Matz. After Ryan Braun bounced into a force at second, Jesús Aguilar drew a walk to load the bases.

Matz escaped that jam by popping up Hernán Perez on a high fastball and retiring Manny Piña on a fly to deep right-center.

The Mets gave Matz plenty of breathing room with the three-run fifth that chased Davies from the game. Amed Rosario singled, Nimmo doubled for his third extra-base hit and Asdrúbal Cabrera laced a two-run double to left-center.

Dan Jennings relieved Davies and was greeted by a soft single to center by Flores that made it 4-0. New York’s lead grew by another run in the seventh when Mesoraco doubled in a run off reliever Jorge Lopez.

FIVE TAKEAWAYS

BRAUN, AGUILAR BACK-TO-BACK: With Aguilar thriving in the No. 3 spot in the batting order while Braun was on the disabled list, many wondered what manager Craig Counsell would do with the batting order with Braun active again Thursday. Counsell was able to side-step the issue for a day by loading his lineup with right-handed hitters against Mets lefty Matz. Braun batted third and Aguilar fourth, with regular cleanup hitter Travis Shaw, a lefty hitter, getting some rest. “Aggie’s in the middle of the lineup; I like our lineup tonight,” Counsell said before the game. That lineup got shut out, with Braun going 1 for 4 and Aguilar 0 for 3 with a walk.

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SELF PRESERVATION GETS IT DONE: The Mets had the bases loaded and two down in the first inning when Devin Mesoraco hit a liner toward Davies’ face. The pitcher threw up his glove, knocking the ball down as he fell to the ground. Davies popped up, recovered the ball and threw to first for the out, avoiding injury and a Mets rally.

LEANING ON LEFTIES: The Mets feature a lineup with several dangerous left-handed hitters, and the Brewers are starting four right-handers in the series. Accordingly, Counsell said his three lefty relievers, Josh Hader, Dan Jennings and Boone Logan, could play vital roles before all is said and done. “It’s probably going to be a big series for our left-handed relievers,” Counsell said. “They feature a lot of left-handed bats. It’s going to be a tough series.”

DOG DAYS OF SUMMER: It was Bark at the Park night at Miller Park, with dog owners allowed to bring their pets and sit in the right-field bleachers. There was a parade around the field before the game, and one of the “guests” was Domino, the pocket bully of reliever Jeremy Jeffress who gained national attention earlier in the day in a story by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic for being a great companion as well as, shall we say, a bit aromatic.

DEALING ON THE DIAMONDBACKS: Much of the Brewers’ recent surge came at the expense of the offensive-challenged Diamondbacks, thanks to home-and-away series within a week of each other. The Brewers went 5-1 in those games, holding the Diamondbacks to a total of 10 runs and a mere 22 hits. “We caught them at a pretty good time; I think that’s pretty clear,” Counsell said. “But we’re pitching well against everybody, in my opinion. We’re doing a good job of keeping runs off the board. Collectively, starters, relievers, defense, that’s how we’re keeping runs off the board.”

RECORD

This year: 31-20

Last year: 27-24

ATTENDANCE

Thursday: 33,803

This year: 744,115 (32,353 avg.)

Last year: 649,566 (28,242 avg.)

COMING UP

Friday: Milwaukee RHP Junior Guerra (3-3, 2.98) vs. New York RHP Noah Syndergaard (4-1, 2.91). TV: FS Wisconsin. Radio: AM-620.