CHICAGO — Tyler Megill could have passed for a 1962 Mets player early in Friday's game, but by the time it ended, all was forgiven.
Simply put, Megill got his act together against what may be the worst team in MLB history, the White Sox, and gave the Mets a chance to win.
Megill pitched through the sixth inning as the Mets won, 5-1, at Guaranteed Rate Field for their fifth win in eight games of the three-city tour.
The White Sox, who are challenging the MLB record of 120 losses set by the 1962 Mets for the most losses in history, lost for the 38th time in 42 games.
The White Sox need to finish the season 12-14 to avoid 120 losses.
Those numbers don't matter to the Mets right now as they contend for the postseason.
This latest win keeps the Mets three games behind Atlanta for the third wild card spot in the National League.
Megill, in his third stint with the Mets this season, was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse on Friday to take a spot in Paul Blackburn's starting rotation.
Blackburn was placed on the disabled list after being hit by a liner on his right hand last weekend at San Diego and is expected to miss just one more start.
“I want to help this team in any way I can,” Megill said. “We're trying to make the playoffs.”
Megill has long counts and increased pitch counts, frustrating team officials.
On this night, the same pitcher pitched well in the first two innings, then picked up pace, striking out 10 consecutive batters by the sixth inning.
“After the first two innings, I thought he settled in and pitched well,” manager Carlos Mendoza said.
The Mets had a strong reliever, with Adam Ottavino, Reid Garrett, Phil Mutton and Edwin Diaz combining to keep the score at zero over the final 3 2/3 innings.
This marks the third consecutive day that Diaz has been used and the first time this season that the right-hander has shouldered such a heavy load.
Megill was replaced in the sixth inning after Gavin Sheets reached base with one out.
Overall, the right-hander threw 97 pitches over 5 1/3 innings, allowing five hits, one walk, six strikeouts and one earned run.
“The sinker has been a big help lately,” said Megill, who has been working on the pitch in the minor leagues. “It's become easier to throw.”
Andrew Benintendi hit an RBI double in the first inning to score the first run of the game.
Megill walked White Sox leadoff hitter Nicky Lopez, and with one out, Benintendi caught the first pitch, a cutter.
Megill loaded the bases in the second inning with two singles and a walk, but he got out of trouble by striking out Luis Robert Jr.
Benintendi singled as leadoff hitter in the third inning, but that was the last time the White Sox had a runner on base until the sixth inning.
Part of that offensive streak included Megill striking out three batters in a row in the fifth inning.
“When the bases were loaded, [jam]”He had a little bit more confidence,” Mendoza said. “He believed in his ability and let the defense do their job. And the fact that we scored was great. [runs] It helped me.”
The Mets won a rematch challenge in the top of the second inning, allowing the inning to continue with the score tied.
Harrison Bader was initially ruled out at first base, then a 5-4-3 double play with the bases loaded ended the inning.
After further review, he was ruled safe and Jesse Winker was allowed to score.
Winker and J.D. Martinez began the comeback with back-to-back singles off Jonathan Cannon before a walk by Jeff McNeil loaded the bases.
Martinez's two-run homer was the big hit in the third inning, as the Mets led 4-1 after scoring three times. Winker doubled to bring in Pete Alonso, who had started the comeback with a walk.
Martinez then smashed a home run over the left field fence for his 16th of the season and his second in five games.
Tyrone Taylor had a highlight play in the eighth inning, sprinting to the right field foul line and reaching the netting over the retaining wall to catch a pop-up from Robert Jr.
Taylor was hanging above the seat, his entire weight supported by the net.
McNeil made a similar circus catch the last time the Mets played a series at this ballpark in 2019.
Francisco Lindor hit a double in the ninth inning, advanced to third on a Brandon Nimmo single, and then Mark Vientos hit a sacrifice fly to give the Mets their fifth run.
