Kirk Nieuwenhuis Plates 5 Runs in Mets 12-5 Rout of Brewers

Kirk Nieuwenhuis was almost the hero in yesterday’s loss to the Diamondbacks in 15 innings, launching a solo home run in the 14th to tie the game. However, Friday was a different story, as Nieuwenhuis turned in a career performance in the Mets’ 12-5 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers.

Nieuwenhuis went 4-for-4 with a double and triple, while driving in a career-high five runs.

The Mets’ right fielder was an offensive threat throughout the night, driving in runs in the first, second, fourth, and ninth innings.

Nieuwenhuis gave the Mets an early lead, walking in Eric Young Jr. to put New York up by a score of 1-0. He would bookend the evening with an RBI triple in the top of the ninth, plating Young Jr. for the New York’s eleventh run of the game.

Since his call-up from Triple-A Las Vegas on June 9, Nieuwenhuis was batting .179 with one home run and seven RBI in 33 games coming into Friday’s game, which have included spot starts in a primarily platoon-role in the outfield.

With the victory, Mets rookie starter Zack Wheeler earned his second career victory, working five innings and surrendering three runs (one earned) while striking out three and walking three. The victory also snapped a two-game losing streak and improved their record to 35-47 on the season, good enough for fourth in the NL East standings.