Schimpf has 2 HRs, 6 RBIs as Padres beat reeling Mets 8-6

NEW YORK (AP) If rookie Ryan Schimpf keeps hitting home runs at this pace, he could play a key role in the Padres' future.

The 28-year-old second baseman homered twice and drove in six runs as San Diego beat the reeling New York Mets 8-6 on Friday night.

''I want him to kind of get lost in the game he's competing in and the day and not think about what it means in the future,'' Padres manager Andy Green said. ''I think if you're worried about your future, you don't do nearly as well in the present.''

Fellow rookie Jabari Blash and Christian Bethancourt also homered early for the Padres, who handed the Mets their fourth straight defeat and sixth in seven games. The defending NL champions (57-58) fell below .500 for the first time since April 17.

One day after getting swept at home by last-place Arizona, the Mets again failed to look like legitimate wild-card contenders. Beneath a dark sky with lightning flashing, the Padres' lineup provided quick thunder against starter Logan Verrett (3-8).

San Diego, which has alternated wins and losses since July 26, jumped out to a 5-0 lead six batters into the game - including a grand slam by Schimpf.

Travis Jankowski opened the game with a single, and Wil Myers and Yangervis Solarte walked to load the bases.

After a popout to left field, Schimpf sent a 1-0 fastball just over the center-field wall for his first career slam.

''It's just one game, but I'm just trying to go up there and put together a good at-bat,'' said Schimpf, who has spent parts of eight seasons in the minors. ''Just trying not to do too much and not think about numbers.''

As Mets fans began to chant ''Rainout! Rainout!'' hoping for a reprieve, Blash hit an opposite-field homer into the visitors' bullpen to make it 5-0.

The threatening clouds passed, and inclement weather couldn't save New York.

Travis d'Arnaud, who had three hits, got the Mets on the board in the second, lining a two-run homer to left off Padres starter Paul Clemens.

San Diego answered immediately in the third. Schimpf sent a two-run shot into the right-field upper deck, his 12th home run in 47 games.

''I was just up there trying to get a good pitch to drive and I got two of them, so it's good to do something and get the win,'' Schimpf said.

Two batters later, Bethancourt chased Verrett with a solo home run, putting the Padres up 8-2.

The four homers allowed by Verrett, who gave up eight runs in 2 2/3 innings, were the most by a Mets starter since Bartolo Colon also served up four in April 2014.

''I'm disappointed in the game today,'' Verrett said. ''I put our team in a hole.''

Clemens (2-2) pitched five innings of three-run ball, and Brandon Maurer worked a flawless ninth for his fifth save.

Jay Bruce had an RBI single in the fifth, and New York rallied in the sixth against San Diego's bullpen.

After d'Arnaud led off with a single, Alejandro De Aza was hit in the neck by Buddy Baumann's 87 mph fastball. De Aza was OK, and Matt Reynolds followed with an RBI double. Ty Kelly had a run-scoring single to make it 8-5.

Left-hander Brad Hand struck out Curtis Granderson, and pinch-hitter Wilmer Flores grounded into a fielder's choice that scored Reynolds.

''They did not roll over at all. They fought and made it a heck of a baseball game,'' Green said. ''A lot of teams easily roll over when they're down 8-2 and just kind of concede the game.''

A trio of Mets relievers combined for 6 1/3 perfect innings with eight strikeouts.

SHUT `EM DOWN

The Padres have won 133 consecutive games when leading after eight innings, the longest active streak in the majors.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Padres: RHP Tyson Ross (right shoulder, right ankle) will throw a bullpen Friday or Saturday. He is inching closer to pitching live batting practice. ... CF Jon Jay (right forearm) will return to San Diego on Sunday and have tests done on Monday. Green hopes Jay will then be cleared to begin swinging a bat.

Mets: INF Jose Reyes (oblique) continued his rehab assignment with Class A Brooklyn, going 2 for 5 with a double, an RBI and two runs while playing seven innings at third base.

UP NEXT

Padres: RHP Jarred Cosart (0-1, 5.79 ERA) makes his third start for San Diego since being acquired from Miami. He has allowed five runs on 11 hits and six walks in 8 1/3 innings with the Padres.

Mets: RHP Jacob deGrom (7-5, 2.35) goes for his fourth straight quality start. He is 2-1 with a 1.62 ERA since the All-Star break.