Justin Verlander pitched seven straight innings for his first win in nearly six weeks and rookie Francisco Alvarez hit the first of three quick home runs that lifted the New York Mets past the San Francisco Giants 4-1 on Saturday.
Brandon Nimmo and Francisco Lindor hit back-to-back shots as the Mets went down three times in a four-hitter span against Anthony DeSclafani (4-8) in the third.
Tommy Pham added an RBI double off Sean Manaea in the fourth, and New York (37-46) opened July with a much-needed victory after going 6-19 in its previous 25 games.
“I’m glad June is over,” manager Buck Showalter said before the game.
Verlander (3-4), 40, allowed five hits, struck out six and didn’t allow an earned run for his 248th win and first since May 21 against Cleveland. The three-time Cy Young Award winner was 0-2 in his previous six starts.
The only run the Giants scored came on Thairo Estrada’s double-play groundout in the seventh after a throwing error by first baseman Pete Alonso, his second in two days.
San Francisco put up two runners after that, but Verlander fanned Brandon Crawford with a full-count pitch with his 29th pitch of the inning.
Drew Smith pitched a perfect eighth and Adam Ottavino worked a no-hitter ninth for his sixth save, sending Estrada rolling into a game-ending double play that was upheld after replay review.
DeSclafani, who grew up in nearby New Jersey, pitched three innings and fell to 0-6 in nine starts and one relief appearance against the Mets, including a home loss on April 21.
San Francisco (46-37) fell to 14-5 in its last 19 games since June 11.