Major League Baseball

Matz takes no-hit bid into 8th, Mets beat Padres 5-1

Published Aug. 14, 2016 7:57 p.m. ET

foxsports

NEW YORK (AP) Steven Matz carried a no-hit bid into the eighth inning and the New York Mets won consecutive games for the first time in more than a month, beating the San Diego Padres 5-1 on Sunday.

Alexei Ramirez slapped a one-out single over first base on Matz's 105th and final pitch in 96-degree heat at Citi Field. Wilmer Flores and Neil Walker homered for the Mets, who took two of three in the series.

Struggling to stay close in the wild-card race, the defending NL champions (59-58) hadn't strung together two wins since July 6-7 against Miami and Washington.

Facing the Padres for the first time, Matz (9-8) won for only the second time in nine decisions over his past 14 starts. The rookie left-hander, a hometown favorite who grew up about 50 miles from Citi Field, struck out eight and walked two. He fanned All-Star slugger Wil Myers all three times.

The only Mets pitcher to throw a no-hitter was Johan Santana in June 2012 against St. Louis.

Flores and Walker connected for solo shots off lefty Clayton Richard (0-2).