For a while, it seemed as though the New York Mets would never make another out.
Yoenis Cespedes and the rest of the Mets broke loose for a team-record 12 runs in the third inning on Friday night, rolling to their seventh straight victory with a 13-1 blowout of the San Francisco Giants.
Cespedes set a club mark with six RBIs in the inning, connecting for a two-run single off starter Jake Peavy and a grand slam against reliever Mike Broadway that capped the outburst.
The early barrage made it an easy night for Steven Matz (3-1) in the opener of a three-game series between the past two National League champions. The left-hander tossed six shutout innings to win his third consecutive start.
Michael Conforto had an RBI double and a run-scoring single in the Mets’ third, which lasted 39 minutes. He and Cespedes were two of the four players who scored twice. Asdrubal Cabrera greeted Broadway with a two-run double.
The first eight New York batters reached safely, four on walks, before Matz struck out trying to bunt. Curtis Granderson, David Wright and Conforto then singled before Cespedes launched his third career slam into the left-field corner.
Back in the lineup after missing five starts with a bruised right thigh, Cespedes set another franchise record by getting an extra-base hit for the ninth straight game — also a career best.
New York (14-7) have won 12 of 14 and own the longest current winning streak in the majors.
The previous Mets record was 11 runs in the sixth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on July 16, 2006. Butch Huskey held the old team mark for RBIs in an inning, with five in the sixth against the Marlins on May 26, 1998.
It was the biggest inning against the Giants since they gave up 13 runs in the sixth to the Montreal Expos in San Francisco on May 7, 1997.
Peavy (1-2) got only six outs on 70 pitches. The right-hander walked five in two-plus innings and was charged with six runs and four hits. He has an 8.61 ERA after five starts, having allowed 39 hits and seven walks in 23 innings.
“Obviously, I know I have got to be better. I am not OK with anything that has happened,” Peavy said. “I am not concerned with thinking anything is going the wrong way. That being said, we have got to figure out a way to get some results in this next start.”
Angel Pagan homered for the Giants in the seventh. San Francisco had won five of six.
“This is going to be a great test for us this weekend,” Mets coach Terry Collins said before the game. “Two good teams going head to head, with big expectations.”
In other MLB action, it was:
‧ Marlins 6, Brewers 3
‧ Cubs 6, Braves 1
‧ Red Sox 4, Yankees 2
‧ Orioles 6, White Sox 3
‧ Nationals 5, Cardinals 4
‧ Phillies 4, Indians 3
‧ Pirates 4, Reds 1
‧ Blue Jays 6, Rays 1
‧ Rangers 4, Angels 2
‧ Tigers 9, Twins 2
‧ Rockies 9, Diamondbacks 0
‧ Mariners 1, Royals 0
‧ Padres 5, Dodgers 1
‧ Athletics 7, Astros 4
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