Jesse Winker's early slam enough for Mets vs. Red Sox

Jesse Winker hit a first-inning grand slam Wednesday night for the host New York Mets, who went on to beat the Boston Red Sox 8-3.

Tyrone Taylor, Jeff McNeil and Francisco Alvarez drew bases-loaded walks in the eighth and Harrison Bader added a sacrifice fly that inning for the Mets (76-64), who swept the three-game interleague series to extend their winning streak to seven games. New York remained a half-game behind the Atlanta Braves in the race for the final National League wild-card berth. The Braves beat the Colorado Rockies 5-2.

Jarren Duran had two hits, including a run-scoring double, for the Red Sox (70-70), who have lost five straight. Boston is 5 1/2 games behind the Kansas City Royal for the final American League wild-card spot.

Alex Young, Huascar Brazoban, Danny Young (3-0), Phil Maton and Edwin Diaz combined for five innings of four-hit ball in relief of Tylor Megill, who surrendered three runs on five hits and one walk while striking out three over four innings.

Francisco Lindor and Mark Vientos were each 2-for-4 for the Mets. Lindor has a 15-game hitting streak and has reached safely in 33 consecutive games.

Rafael Devers and Wilyer Abreu lofted sacrifice flies in the third inning for the Red Sox. Connor Wong and Enmanuel Valdez had two hits apiece.

Red Sox starter Tanner Houck (8-10) allowed four runs on five hits and one walk while striking out seven over five innings.

The first three batters reached against Houck before he struck out Pete Alonso. Winker followed with a homer just beyond the center field fence for his second grand slam of the season.

Houck then retired the next 13 batters and 14 of the final 16 he faced.

Valdez and Nick Sogard opened the third with singles against Megill before Valdez scored on Duran's ground-rule double. Devers and Abreu followed with sacrifice flies.

The Mets added insurance in the eighth, when Kenley Jansen and Rich Hill combined to issue five walks.

--Field Level Media