MIAMI — How was Jon Niese supposed to know how to pitch with a seven-run lead?
In a world as alien as Neptune for a Mets starting pitcher, Niese had a seven-run lead in Sunday’s sixth inning and gradually began giving it back.
But the lefty recovered after allowing three runs on four hits in the inning and got the ‘W’ in the Mets’ 11-5 victory over the Marlins.
Manager Terry Collins said he never gave serious consideration to yanking Niese before the conclusion of the inning. Carlos Torres replaced Niese for the seventh.
“I thought [Niese] deserved to try to get out of the inning,” Collins said. “He was still throwing the ball fine. The last couple of games he had to come out due to the score of the game and today I said, ‘You know what? He deserves to stay in this game, because he’s pitched well.’”
Niese was thankful for the chance to escape his own jam.
“I wouldn’t have been too happy if he took me out there,” Niese said. “Things just didn’t happen the way I wanted it to that inning, and I was able to fight through it and get out of it.”
Juan Lagares is scheduled to play for Double-A Binghamton beginning Monday and will be evaluated later in the week for a return to the Mets. Collins indicated it’s possible Lagares would join the Mets on Wednesday or Thursday. The outfielder has missed the last three weeks recovering from a rib cage injury.
Collins said the Mets have discussed promoting Travis d’Arnaud from Triple-A Las Vegas “sometime this week.”
According to a club source, it’s possible the rookie catcher will arrive for Tuesday’s game against Oakland.
“I know he’s had a really outstanding offensive stay in Vegas and hopefully it translates into similar results up here,” Collins said. “Certainly we don’t expect him to hit .500, but if it’s helped and it builds up his confidence and he’s changed a couple of things, obviously it will be a big boost to us.”