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          New York Mets

          Morning Briefing: Can Jacob deGrom stop the slide?

          • Adam Rubin, ESPN Staff WriterAug 7, 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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          DETROIT -- Sandy Alderson met with Terry Collins after Saturday's game, trying to come up with answers (and also, reportedly, scolding him for not challenging the final play).

          Now, the Mets try to avoid getting swept when they send Jacob deGrom to the mound on Sunday for a 1:10 p.m. ET game at Comerica Park.

          DeGrom (7-5, 2.41) opposes right-hander Anibal Sanchez (6-11, 6.26).

          DeGrom has produced a scoreless outing in three of his last four starts. He has a 1.54 ERA in seven starts since June 25.

          The Mets (56-54) remained nine games behind the Washington Nationals in the division. They are two games out of a wild-card spot.

          SUNDAY'S NEWS REPORTS:

          • Logan Verrett may be out of the rotation. He was charged with six runs in 3 2/3 innings and the Mets lost to the Tigers, 6-5, Saturday. Jay Bruce was thrown out at the plate to end the game. Collins acknowledged he should have challenged because the Mets had it remaining, but he did not think to do so once the team's replay official said Bruce was out. A pair of errors by the Tigers had allowed the Mets to claw within a run in seventh, but they stranded Bruce in scoring position that frame as Travis d'Arnaud grounded into a double play and Kelly Johnson grounded out. Afterward, Collins acknowledged the Mets would consider other options besides Verrett for that next turn of the rotation. Jonathon Niese would appear one alternative. Read game recaps in the Post, Daily News, Times, Newsday, Record and at NJ.com and MLB.com.

          • Zack Wheeler logged one inning in a rain-abbreviated rehab start for Class A St. Lucie on Saturday. It marked Wheeler's first game since undergoing Tommy John surgery in March 2015. His fastball ranged from 90-96 mph. “It's a little different once you get into a game and the adrenaline's going a little bit more, so it was good to actually get out there and face live hitters in an actual game situation,” Wheeler said afterward, according to Newsday. “… I was happy with it. Got the curveball, kept it down. Change was where I wanted it. So everything was good.” Jim Henderson also logged an inning in that minor-league game after having his original rehab assignment aborted because of a hamstring strain. Read more in the Post, Record and at MLB.com.

          • The Mets do not plan to pursue free agent Juan Uribe, who was released by the Cleveland Indians.

          • Columnist Ken Davidoff in the Post notes Collins dropped the ball in not challenging the final play.

          • Jose Reyes is due to begin a rehab assignment on Tuesday. He is eligible to be activated from the DL on Thursday. Reyes will play shortstop in the minors since Asdrubal Cabrera's absence with a knee injury will be lengthier. Read more in Newsday.

          • Columnist David Lennon in Newsday labels both the Mets and Yankees winners at the trade deadline.

          • T.J. Rivera's two-run double in the eighth lifted Las Vegas over Fresno, 10-8. Rainy Lara allowed five runs in the fifth inning and Hartford rallied to beat Binghamton, 8-6. Corey Taylor stranded the tying run at third base in the ninth and St. Lucie moved into a first-place tie with a 4-3 win against Bradenton. Nabil Crismatt's scoreless effort ended when he surrendered a two-run homer in the fifth and Rome beat Columbia, 2-0. Thomas Szapucki took a no-hit bid into the sixth inning but ended up on the losing end of Tri-City's 4-1 win against Brooklyn. Read the full minor-league recap here.

          • From the bloggers ... Mets Report suggests it looked bad for Collins not to challenge the final play.

          BIRTHDAYS: Kirk Nieuwenhuis turns 29. ... Danny Graves is 43.

          TWEET OF THE DAY:

          YOU'RE UP: Should Niese replace Verrett in the rotation until Wheeler is ready?