Jose Quintana was high on the Mets’ list of expendable players by July 30 if the team continued along the path it was on for much of the first half.
But the left-hander’s success since mid-June has coincided with the team’s torrid play, bringing this happy outcome at the trade deadline: the Mets are in the postseason hunt and Quintana likely isn’t going anywhere.
Monday night he gained momentum after a shaky two-batter stretch against the Twins to begin the game and helped the Mets roll to a 15-2 victory at Citi Field that snapped the team’s two-game skid.
The Mets spread around the offensive contributions (eight different players drove in runs) and arrived to the final hours before Tuesday’s 6 p.m. trade deadline at six games above .500, after beginning the night as the leader for the NL’s third wildcard.
Quintana had a second straight start of allowing only one earned run.
Overall, he lasted six innings and surrendered five hits with five strikeouts and one walk.
It marked the seventh time in eight starts since June 9. Over that stretch, he’s pitched to a 2.10 ERA.
It was a much-appreciated performance by Quintana after Tylor Megill and David Peterson scuffled in consecutive games against the Braves.