Jacob deGrom Outduels Jimmy Nelson as Mets Earn Split

Jul 27, 2014; Milwaukee, WI, USA; New York Mets first baseman Lucas Duda (21) hits a two-run home run in the sixth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

After ensuring at least a series tie with the Mets on Saturday, the Brewers were back at it on Sunday looking to win the four-game series.

The Brewers sent Jimmy Nelson (1-1, 5.06 ERA) to make his fourth start of the season against Mets rookie Jacob deGrom (4-5, 3.01). deGrom came into the game allowing just two earned runs in his last 21 innings of work.

The Brewer offense didn’t have it today as deGrom twirled a gem and out-dueled Jimmy Nelson en route to a 2-0 Mets win and a split in the series.

It was an inauspicious start for Nelson, as he plunked the first hitter of the game, Curtis Granderson. He also fell behind 3-0 to Daniel Murphy, but Murphy popped out to short, and David Wright ended the inning with a double play ground out.

Rickie Weeks drew a one-out walk for Milwaukee in the bottom half of the frame, but that was it for the Crew.

Chris Young belted a one-out double in the top of the second, and Nelson walked Juan Lagares to put two on. Anthony Recker followed with a double-play grounder back to Jean Segura, but he booted it to load the bases.

Nelson was unphased though and on his first pitch to Ruben Tejada he got another double-play grounder to short. This time Segura handled it, Weeks made the turn and the inning was over.

deGrom got through the bottom of the second without allowing a base runner. The Brewers offense got off to slow starts in three of the four games of this series.

After striking out deGrom to open the third, Granderson launched a double off the wall in right-center. Nelson struck out Murphy and Wright grounded out to end the inning.

With one out in the bottom of the third Nelson picked up his first professional hit, and the Brewers first hit of the game. He was 0-for-66 between AA, AAA and the majors before that hit. That was it for the Brewers in the inning.

Nelson whiffed Lucas Duda to open the fourth inning ahead of a Chris Young double. Young moved to third on a Lagares ground out to first base. Nelson struck out Recker to end the inning.

With two outs in the bottom half of the inning Khris Davis drew a walk, becoming just the third Brewers base runner. Mark Reynolds followed with a towering fly ball.

It hit one of the supports in the ceiling and landed in fair territory, but it was ruled foul. Despite what you might have heard out of Brewers fans on Twitter, that was the correct call. Reynolds struck out to end the inning.

Both pitchers worked three-up, three-down innings in the fifth inning. After five innings Nelson had the only hit off deGrom, but the Mets hurler was up at 93 pitches. Nelson was only at 70.

Murphy led off the sixth with a double off the wall in right-center. Wright flew out to Braun for the first out of the inning, but Duda broke up the tie with a towering home run to right field to give the Mets a 2-0 lead.

Young reached on an error in the next at-bat. Segura back-handed his grounder and fired to first but Reynolds couldn’t handle it. Nelson struck out Lagares for the second out. Recker grounded out to end the inning.

After a Gomez strike out, Weeks belted a single to right for the Brewers second hit. Braun followed with a fly out to center and Lucroy popped out to the catcher to end the inning.

Nelson returned to the hill for the seventh inning and walked Tejada to lead off the inning. The Mets let deGrom hit for himself after the walk.

deGrom attempted to bunt Tejada over to second, but Lucroy pounced on it and fired to second to start a double play and clear the bases. Granderson grounded out to first to end the inning.

The final line on Nelson was seven innings pitched, allowing just two runs on five hits and two walks. He struck out six, and also hit a batter.

Davis led off the Brewer half of the seventh inning with a single through the left side of the infield on deGrom’s 111th pitch. After a Reynolds fly out, Segura singled to end deGrom’s day as Terry Collins called for Vic Black.

Davis was the first Brewer to reach second base, and it was the first time all game the Crew had two men on base at the same time. Scooter Gennett came on to pinch hit for Elian Herrera and face Black.

Gennett popped out to Wright at third for the second out of the inning. Aramis Ramirez came on to pinch hit for Nelson and flew out to center to end the inning.

The final line on deGrom was 6 1/3 innings pitched, allowing four hits and two walks. He didn’t allow a run and struck out four. His ERA in his last four starts is just 0.66.

Reynolds moved to third, and Lyle Overbay entered the game at first base for the Crew in the eighth inning. Tom Gorzelanny came on to pitch for Milwaukee.

Murphy led off with a single to left and Wright followed with one of his own. Duda bounced back to the mound and Gorzelanny threw him out at first. Both runners moved up a base.

That was it for Gorzelanny, and Roenicke called for Brandon Kintzler. Kintzler struck out Young for the second out. Lagares grounded out to Segura up the middle to end the inning.

Jeurys Familia came on for the eighth for the Mets and he put down Gomez, Weeks and Braun in order.

Kintzler returned to the hill for the ninth inning and worked a one-two-three inning for the Crew.

Mets closer Jenrry Mejia came on for the ninth. After a Lucroy ground out, Davis reached first on a high chopper to short for an infield hit. Mets manager Terry Collins came out to challenge the call but Davis was ruled safe.

Reynolds followed with a strike out for the second out of the inning. Segura knocked a single up the middle to put two on for Lyle Overbay who grounded out to second to end the game.

deGrom earned the win for the Mets, and Mejia picked up his 15th save. Nelson took the loss for Milwaukee in a tragic miscarriage of justice.

The Brewers will travel to Tampa where they will take on the Rays.  Kyle Lohse, Matt Garza and Yovani Gallardo will face Jake Odorizzi, Alex Cobb and David Price.