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          New York Mets

          Morning Briefing: After eventful Saturday, Mets now draw Clayton Kershaw

          • Adam Rubin, ESPN Staff WriterMay 29, 2016, 10:30 AM
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              Adam Rubin has covered the Mets since 2003. He's a graduate of Mepham High School on Long Island and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He joined ESPNNewYork after spending 10 years at the New York Daily News.
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          NEW YORK -- The New York Mets have their work cut out for them in the finale of what’s become a highly charged series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

          Bartolo Colon (4-3, 3.44 ERA) opposes left-hander Clayton Kershaw (7-1, 1.48) at 8:08 p.m. ET on ESPN Sunday Night Baseball.

          Kershaw had a streak of six straight starts with double-digit strikeouts and no more than one walk snapped in his last outing. Last Monday against the Cincinnati Reds, he only struck out seven while issuing one walk in a two-hit shutout.

          Kershaw has 95 strikeouts and five walks this season. Only three pitchers since 1900 have reached that strikeout total while producing three shutouts in their first 10 appearances of a season: Kershaw, Roger Clemens (1988) and Bob Feller (1946).

          Colon rebounded in Washington after previously having back-to-back subpar performances, which included a start at Dodger Stadium opposite Kershaw. Because Colon has been dealing with back issues since his homer in San Diego, he did not swing in last Monday’s game against the Washington Nationals. He even told Nats catcher Wilson Ramos to have opposing pitcher Gio Gonzalez throw fastballs down the middle because he had no intention of taking any cuts.

          SUNDAY’S NEWS REPORTS:

          • Talk about channeling the 1986 team: Noah Syndergaard was ejected for throwing a 99 mph fastball behind the back of NLDS villain Chase Utley in the third inning. Manager Terry Collins also was given the heave-ho for arguing. Utley then went on to homer twice and produce five RBIs as the Dodgers beat the Mets, 9-1, Saturday. Syndergaard insisted after the game that he had no intent, although Collins agreed it might be viewed as similar to the purpose pitch that went to the backstop to begin Game 3 of last year’s World Series. Read recaps in the Post, Daily News, Times, Newsday, Record and at NJ.com and MLB.com.

          • James Loney was acquired by the Mets from the San Diego Padres for cash to address first base with Lucas Duda on the disabled list for the foreseeable future with a stress fracture in his lower back. Loney had been playing for Triple-A El Paso. He had a June 1 opt-out for a major league gig, but the Mets swung the deal to acquire him a few days early. The lefty-hitting Loney should platoon with righty-hitting Wilmer Flores, who is likely to be activated from the disabled list on Sunday. The Mets will need to demote two players and make a 40-man roster move to accommodate the arrival of Loney as well as Flores’ return. Loney may not be activated until Tuesday with the Mets facing southpaws on Sunday and Monday. Read more in the Post, Daily News, Times, Newsday, Record and at NJ.com and MLB.com.

          • David Wright was examined by a team doctor Saturday because of a neck issue that prevented him from playing. Sandy Alderson expressed some level of concern, and Wright suggested the disabled list may be a possibility. He will be further examined Sunday. Wright is unsure if there is any link to his lower-back issue. Read more at NJ.com and MLB.com.

          • The Mets honored their 1986 championship team in an emotional pregame ceremony Saturday. Jesse Orosco recreated the final pitch of the World Series, throwing to the late Gary Carter’s son DJ. Read more in the Daily News, Post, Times, Newsday, Record and at MLB.com.

          • The Mets complained to Major League Baseball about the Dodgers using laser-guided technology to mark specific defensive positions for their outfielders. Read more at Foxsports.com and in the Post, Daily News, Newsday and at NJ.com.

          • Ruben Tejada was designated for assignment by the St. Louis Cardinals.

          • Steve Serby in the Post has a Q&A with Kershaw. On Steven Matz, Kershaw tells Serby: “If you had to pick a left-handed pitcher in baseball, other than [the White Sox’s Chris] Sale, he’s right at the top of my list. The stuff is there. He’s commanding the strike zone a lot better, throwing his fastball for strikes. He’s got a slider now that he didn’t have last year. His changeup is very, very good. He’s got all the tools. He’s an athletic guy. He can swing the bat. Just kind of everything you look for -- he’s had little nagging injuries here and there -- but as long as he can stay on the field.”

          • Mets ballpark revenue climbed roughly 15 percent in 2015 after five straight years of declines, Jim Baumbach writes in Newsday.

          • Dilson Herrera had four hits as Las Vegas built a 10-run lead and held on for a 17-14 win against Memphis. Flores went 1-for-2 with an RBI and played seven innings at second base in Binghamton’s 6-3 loss to Trenton, which included manager Pedro Lopez getting ejected (watch video here). Kevin Taylor produced a two-run homer in the first inning, but St. Lucie lost to Bradenton, 4-2. Chase Ingram and Nicco Blank combined to allow 10 runs in 4 2/3 innings as West Virginia routed Columbia, 12-2. Read the full minor-league recap here.

          • The ’86 Mets believe Matt Harvey will bounce back, Anthony McCarron writes in the Daily News.

          • From the bloggers … Faith and Fear is caught up in this weekend's 1986 vibe. … Mets Report suggests MLB has some culpability for Syndergaard’s pitch Saturday.

          BIRTHDAYS: Steven Matz turns 25. ... Toby Borland is 47. ... Tyler Pill is 26.

          TWEET OF THE DAY:

          YOU’RE UP: Was the Loney acquisition the best possible way to handle first base in Duda’s absence?