James McCann Marcus Stroman fist bump 6/6

The Mets came back from an 0-2 hole to split this past weekend's four-game series with the Padres, capped by a 6-2 win Sunday at Petco Park in San Diego, and RHP Marcus Stroman sees a common theme as New York stays atop the NL East at 29-23 amid injury adversity.

"We just have a great vibe, honestly, in the clubhouse," said Stroman (5-4, 2.41 ERA), who pitched 6 2/3 innings and yielded San Diego (36-25) to one unearned run on four hits. "It's truly an internal clubhouse and we never get too consumed or care about anything that's happening outside on what's happening in the clubhouse. Everyone allows each other to be unique, to be the individual. Whatever anyone needs to do to put themselves at the highest level, we're very open to that. We don't try and say, 'You can't do this or can't do that.'

"Everyone's one. It's one big family. Everyone wants to see each other excel, each and every time, and that's all we're concerned with. Like I said, this is one of the best teams I've played, as far as camaraderie. It's a blessing to come to the clubhouse every day."

LF Dominic Smith, who gave the Mets a 2-0 lead with a solo home run in the fourth inning, echoed Stroman's sentiments when discussing an animated celebration players used from the dugout on big hits.

"I think all of us, we're trying to make a push," Smith said. "We're a brotherhood and we try to pick up everybody, we support everybody and I think at the end of the day we just try to just support each other and that's why we have so much fun out there."

Three and a half games ahead in the division, the Mets close out a nine-game road trip Tuesday and Wednesday, a two-game set against the Baltimore Orioles (21-38).

"For me, it just shows how brave these guys are," said manager Luis Rojas. "And we have a ton of adversity, right? And then this is our first trip to the West Coast, and all the difference. I mean, every team goes through this. But at the same time that we're going through injuries and all the uncertainties, the guys are able to stay consistent with the game that we've been playing, right, to win games.

"... Pitching and defense has been the formula. We stay in all games and we can have some big innings here and there, but scoring a lot of runs hasn't been our thing, right? So pitching and defense is a thing that I'm the most proud of. Guys are not shying away, regardless of what our lineup is. Pitchers are attacking. The guys are on their toes, making plays. And there are some guys that are coming with the bat. We saw (James) McCann hit another homer today.

"So that's the one thing that I'm proud of, just how brave these guys are and how consistent they stay with the formula that's worked for us to win games. And they trust it. We're just going to keep moving forward with our head up. We have a day off. It's always good to win before a day off. It's a great feeling. I know, for the team, it is. So we have our day off, we'll rest and then we'll see Tuesday. We're hoping that (Jonathan) Villar might be in our starting lineup. That'll be a win, too."

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Mets' chemistry keeps team afloat amid injury adversity: 'We just have a great vibe, honestly, in the clubhouse' - Yahoo Sports