The slumping Jeff McNeil laced a two-RBI double to cap a four-run second inning Saturday afternoon for the surging New York Mets, who beat the visiting Colorado Rockies 7-3 in the middle contest of a three-game series.

The Mets have won the first five games of a six-game homestand to improve to 9-4 this month. The Rockies have lost eight of 13 in July.

Luis Torrens was credited with an RBI in the second, when Brendan Rodgers threw away Torrens’ potential double-play ball immediately before McNeil’s hit. McNeil entered Saturday hitting just .167 (6-for-36) with one homer and two RBIs since his most recent multi-RBI game on June 28.

Francisco Lindor hit an eighth-inning three-run home run.

Jose Butto (4-3), the first of two New York relievers, allowed one hit over 2 2/3 innings. Dedniel Nunez tossed the final two innings for his first save.

Mets starter Christian Scott gave up three runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out five over 4 1/3 innings.

Jake Cave homered in the third and Charlie Blackmon hit a two-run homer in the fifth for the Rockies. Ezequiel Tovar and Sam Hilliard had two hits apiece.

Rockies starter Ryan Feltner (1-9) allowed four runs (three earned) on two hits and five walks while striking out seven over 3 2/3 innings.

The Mets loaded the bases with one out in the second against Feltner, who got Torrens to hit a grounder to second. But Rodgers bobbled the ball before throwing wide of shortstop Tovar, which allowed Pete Alonso and DJ Stewart to score. McNeil’s double split the gap in right-center field three pitches later.

Cave homered leading off the third. The Rockies chased Scott in the fifth, when Blackmon hit a two-run homer with one out before Tovar doubled and Ryan McMahon walked. Butto entered and got Elias Diaz to hit into a 3-6-1 double play.

The Mets had one hit in 13 plate appearances with runners on following McNeil’s hit before Lindor’s homer off Jalen Beeks.

–Field Level Media