What's behind the NY Mets' offensive success with two outs in June?
WASHINGTON  As a catcher, James McCann is always around pitchers, always communicating with them in any situation. He sees how certain situations affect them  like, say, allowing a two-out run. "It can be defeating," McCann said on the field at Nationals Park on Friday, about an hour before the Mets opened a four-game series against Washington. If it is defeating, then these Mets have been leaving many pitchers feeling defeated this month. Since June began, the Mets' lineup has done damage with two outs. Entering Friday, the Mets were third in baseball with 32 two-out runs. They are tied for first in the majors with 11 home runs with two outs. Their .248 team batting average in those spots ranks eighth. Its a byproduct of guys being really locked in and really trying to stick to an approach," McCann said. "I know from an opponents standpoint, two-out RBI are a killer. Its a huge momentum swing." Take this example: In Monday's victory over the Cubs, the Mets scored all five of their runs with two outs. In Tuesday's win, starting pitcher Taijuan Walker escaped a bases-loaded, two-outs jam to keep the Cubs off the board. These situations can dictate games. It is also encouraging that the Mets, who struggled to hit with runners in scoring position early in the season, are batting .265 with runners in scoring position and two outs in June, good for seventh in the majors. The third out of an inning has become elusive for opposing pitchers. I think guys have done a good job just overcoming some of the things that we were struggling with at the beginning of the season," Mets manager Luis Rojas said. "I think everyone has been talking in (our hitters meetings) progressively. All hitters talking about those situations when they come up and what to feel and what they actually felt, and I think everyones been humble enough o actually share their own experience." With two outs this month, Mets outfielder Billy McKinney, acquired late last month, is tied for sixth in the majors with seven RBI. Kevin Pillar is tied for ninth with six. Of players with more than 10 at-bats with two outs this month, McCann's .500 batting average is tied for the best in baseball. He has a home run and five RBI in those spots. Its kind of just about being stingy and not trying to do too much," McCann said. "Thats kind of my M.O. whether its no outs, two outs. In a long season, its hard to lock it in like that for every single at-bat. ...But thats something I try to take pride in is not trying to do too much, take whats given to me and being a tough out in a quality at-bat." The Mets' two-out success might send a larger message to the league: They've got a deep lineup. And they're still missing starters Michael Conforto, Jeff McNeil, Brandon Nimmo and J.D. Davis. This month, the Mets have worn down pitchers who can't seem to get back to the dugout. In the process, they've shown how dangerous they can be as a lineup. That was something we preached in spring training is our lineup one through nine, anybody can get you on any given day," McCann said. "That makes it tough for an opposing team. I know as a catcher, it makes it tough to navigate through a lineup when I look up there and Im thinking, Shoot, even if we get this guy out, now we got this guy, and if we get that guy out, then we got this guy.  "It makes it tough. Its mentally draining, especially over a three-or-four-game series." Jacob deGrom update  DeGrom (right shoulder soreness) on Friday continued his in-between-starts routine. He played catch and long tossed to loosen up before throwing a 10-pitch bullpen (considered his light bullpen session. He'll throw a more intensive one on Saturday). A very good day, but were still approaching this kind of day by day," Rojas said. DeGrom's start day is Monday, but Rojas would not commit to deGrom pitching against the Braves at Citi Field that night. He said the decision could even come that day. Rotation for the doubleheader  The Mets and Nationals on Saturday will play a split doubleheader. Lefty David Peterson will start Game 1 for the Mets. The Mets don't yet know who will start Game 2, though Rojas said they have a lot of options. Justin Toscano is the Mets beat writer for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to all Mets analysis, news, trades and more, please subscribe today and download our app. Email: toscanoj@northjersey.com  Twitter: @justinctoscano