MLB

Hefner goes seven strong innings as Mets defeat Brewers

MILWAUKEE — Don’t forget about Jeremy Hefner.

With most of the conversation about the Mets’ pitching future revolving around Matt Harvey and Zack Wheeler, the 27-year-old Hefner continues to demonstrate that he too can be part of the solution.

“I know that I’m good enough to be here and good enough to beat these hitters,” Hefner said yesterday after the Mets’ 2-1 victory over the Brewers at Miller Park. “If somebody does beat me, I know that I can get the next guy.”

Hefner allowed one run on two hits over seven innings with eight strikeouts and one walk, helping the Mets win the rubber game of the three-game series. The Mets (37-48) have not lost a road series since the Marlins swept them three games in Miami beginning on May 31.

Over his last seven starts, Hefner (4-6) has posted a 1.64 ERA, the lowest in the majors since June 4. In six of those seven starts, he allowed only one earned run, though he was charged with nine unearned runs.

“He’s a legitimate guy in this rotation,” manager Terry Collins said. “He’s not a carbon copy of Dillon Gee, but a very similar guy. Those guys have got to make themselves because they’ve got to throw all their pitches. They can’t fall in love with one pitch. They’ve got to use them all and all of the time.”

Hefner began spring training as rotation insurance and earned a spot on the Opening Day roster when it became obvious Johan Santana — who subsequently underwent season-ending shoulder surgery — wouldn’t be ready.

But Hefner’s spot on the team seemed tenuous, especially during an April stretch in which he surrendered seven home runs in four appearances.

“I was maybe one or two starts from being in [Triple-A] Las Vegas, so something had to change,” Hefner said. “Obviously the mechanical adjustment we’ve been talking about for a couple of starts was key, and making pitches, and the defense is playing unbelievable.”

Hefner’s mechanical adjustment involved added rotation in his delivery, turning his back on the hitter. He credits the adjustment for allowing him to add velocity to a fastball that consistently has been in the low 90s.

“He’s pitching much better inside,” Collins said. “He’s speeding the bat up and that’s why I think he’s getting so many swings and misses on his breaking ball.”

Josh Satin carried the Mets lineup with a 3-for-4 performance that included two doubles. Satin got the start at first base over Ike Davis with lefty Tom Gorzelanny on the mound for Milwaukee.

Bobby Parnell entered with two outs in the eighth and retired Jean Segura with the tying run at second base. Parnell then pitched a scoreless ninth for his 15th save in 18 chances.

Hefner’s shutout bid ended in the seventh, when Jonathan Lucroy homered leading off the inning to pull the Brewers within 2-1.

Satin’s RBI double in the sixth gave the Mets a 2-0 lead. Marlon Byrd hit a chopper to third that Juan Francisco threw away, putting a runner on second for Satin, who has an 11-game hitting streak.

“I’m just happy that I’ve been able to contribute,” Satin said. “Now I feel that the days I don’t play, when the game is on the line, [Collins] is going to put me in. You can’t really ask for much more than that.”

Satin scored the game’s first run after Francisco threw away an Andrew Brown grounder in the fourth inning that was ruled a single.

Hefner struck out the side in the first, setting the tone for the afternoon. Rickie Weeks’ single with two outs in the second stood as the Brewers’ only hit until Lucroy homered. The Brewers’ only other baserunner over that stretch was Carlos Gomez, who walked leading off the fourth.

“They are fairly young and they are very aggressive,” Hefner said. “If I can make them swing at balls, then I am doing my job because they are going to chase them. I did enough to get ahead in the count and was able to expand the zone, and they chased them.”