Reeling Giants lose to Mets 3-0

SAN FRANCISCO - Jonathon Niese pitched eight sharp innings for his first win in nearly two months, and the New York Mets beat the San Francisco Giants 3-0 Monday night to hand the slumping World Series champions their seventh consecutive defeat.

Johnny Monell snapped a scoreless tie with a two-run double in the ninth against his former team. Michael Cuddyer had two hits, including a single that started the winning rally, to help the Mets improve to 3-1 on a six-game West Coast trip.

It was New York’s second consecutive shutout, including an 8-0 victory Sunday at Dodger Stadium behind rookie Steven Matz.

Juan Lagares added an RBI single to make it 3-0, and Jeurys Familia closed for his 23rd save. Mets pitchers have allowed exactly three hits in each of their past three wins.

Niese (4-8) retired 15 of his first 16 batters before running into a little bit of trouble in the sixth, when he lost his command momentarily. The Giants loaded the bases with two outs after Joaquin Arias singled and Ehire Adrianza and Matt Duffy each walked.

Niese retired All-Star slugger Buster Posey on a grounder to third to end the threat.

The left-hander did not permit a run for the first time all season, ending a six-game losing streak and a nine-start winless streak since his previous victory May 9. He allowed three hits, walked two and struck out four.

Chris Heston, facing the Mets for the first time since throwing a no-hitter against them on June 9 in New York, set down 13 of 15 batters at one point. He gave up three hits in 71/3 shutout innings. He walked four and struck out two.

Cuddyer singled to start the ninth and went to third on a double by Kirk Nieuwenhuis, called up from the minors before the game. Monell doubled off Sergio Romo (0-4) to drive in the go-ahead runs.

Heston took a shutout into the eighth and was taken out of the game after hitting Lagares with a pitch and walking Ruben Tejada sandwiched around a forceout on a ball that fell amid three players in short left field. Gregor Blanco threw to second to force Lagares.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Mets: Right-handed reliever Jenrry Mejia made his final rehab appearance Sunday and is expected to be activated in time for Tuesday night’s game. Mejia completed his 80-game suspension for testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs.

Giants: OF Hunter Pence (soreness in left wrist) took batting practice the past two days, and manager Bruce Bochy said Pence could return this week.

UP NEXT

Mets: RHP Bartolo Colon (9-6, 4.55 ERA) threw seven shutout innings in his most recent start. Colon is 2-2 with a 5.46 ERA in five starts against the Giants. He has not won in San Francisco in three years.

Giants: RHP Matt Cain (0-1, 9.00) will make his second start of the season Tuesday night. He made his first start in nearly a year on Thursday, taking the loss against Miami. Cain is winless in his last four starts against the Mets and is looking for his first win against them in four years.