Zack Wheeler Gives Mets Some Good News on a Bad Day

Devin Mesoraco hit an early three-run double and made a heads-up play on defense that helped Zack Wheeler and the Mets defeat the San Diego Padres, 6-3, on Tuesday night at Citi Field.

Michael Conforto launched a two-run homer, extending his recent tear at the plate, and Wheeler (4-6) pitched seven crisp innings to win his second consecutive start. Before that, he had gone 13 outings without a victory, dating to April 29 in San Diego — the longest stretch without a win for a Mets starter in 20 years.

Before the game, the Mets put the frequently injured slugger Yoenis Cespedes on the 10-day disabled list. The team said it was awaiting a second opinion before deciding whether he needs surgery on both feet that could require an eight-to-10-month recovery.

“Still trying to gather information,” Manager Mickey Callaway said.

The leadoff hitter Amed Rosario tripled and scored twice for the Mets, who won for only the eighth time in their past 30 home games. Wilmer Flores also scored twice.

The Padres left-hander Eric Lauer (5-7) struggled through the early innings once again. He threw 35 pitches in the first, giving up Mesoraco’s bases-loaded double with two outs, and served up Conforto’s 13th homer after a leadoff walk in the third.

Asdrubal Cabrera singled home Rosario after he tripled with two outs in the fourth.

Wil Myers hit a two-run single in the third off Wheeler, who then retired his final 12 batters. A possible trade candidate with a week to go before the July 31 deadline, Wheeler allowed two runs and four hits with three strikeouts and one walk.

Myers added a run-scoring double off Seth Lugo in the ninth.

Manuel Margot was initially called out at the plate on Myers’s single in the third. Even though that appeared to be the third out of the inning, Mesoraco alertly threw to third just in case, and Carlos Asuaje was easily tagged as he eased up in the basepath for what seemed to be an unnecessary “fourth out.”

When umpires overturned the call at the plate, ruling Margot safe after a replay review that lasted more than three minutes, they also called Asuaje out at third, ending the inning.

That preserved a 3-2 lead for the Mets, and Wheeler cruised from there.

Inside Pitch

Jason Vargas (strained right calf) is scheduled to come off the disabled list to start Friday night in Pittsburgh. … Devin Mesoraco was hit under the chin by a foul ball in the fourth. After being checked, he remained in the game.