NEW YORK -- Zack Wheeler learned a couple things Sunday. Pitching with a big, early lead is fun. And, its possible to work through an issue with his motion without losing rhythm on the mound. Both lessons helped the 24-year-old rising star breeze into the seventh inning, Anthony Recker hit a three-run homer in a five-run first and the New York Mets beat the Texas Rangers 8-4 for a series win. "Its a big thing for me because not always I was able to find it," Wheeler said of fixing a timing glitch in his mechanics. "It felt good to come back out there and compete." Lucas Duda had an RBI double and Juan Lagares a run-scoring single in the Mets biggest opening inning of the season, with all the runs scoring with two outs. New York then got only one hit off Nick Tepesch (3-4) until Kirk Nieuwenhuis led off the sixth with a long ball to right field. Daniel Murphys RBI double in the seventh made it 7-1, but reliever Gonzalez Germen allowed Alex Rios first homer in 46 games and Leonys Martins two-run drive before getting an out in the eighth. Ruben Tejada had an RBI single in the eighth to increase New Yorks lead to a four runs. "The kind of hit Ruben got in the eighth wins games," manager Terry Collins said. Jeurys Familia cleaned up for Gonzalez by getting the final two outs in the eighth and closer Jenrry Mejia pitched the ninth. The Mets needed five relievers to help send Texas to its sixth loss on a seven-game road trip that ended Sunday. "We still had a lot of baseball to play and we ended up doing that," Rangers manager Ron Washington said. "We just couldnt make up for the runs that they put on the board." Wheeler (4-8) had his second straight solid outing in an up-and-down season to help the Mets win for just the third time in 11 games. The lanky right-hander lasted 6 1-3 innings and gave up a run and six hits, including Robinson Chirinos second homer of the series. It was Wheelers first victory in his last 10 home starts. He is 1-6 over that span. "Weve got a young pitcher on our hands whos going to be really, really good," Collins said. "Zack gets better each start. Today his velocity was consistent throughout the game." A day after Texas rode Chirinos three-run shot in a four-run first for a 5-3 victory, Recker put New York up 5-0 with a flyball that down the left-field line. "To put up five in the first inning is pretty cool," Recker said. Tepesch, whose start was pushed back twice last week and pitched nine days ago, was hurt by two walks in the first. Curtis Granderson walked leading off and, after Duda drove in his 12th run 15 games with a two-out double, Nieuwenhuis was walked to extend the inning for Lagares. Tejada walked after Reckers homer but Wheeler struck out. But Tepesch settled until Tejada had a one-out double in the fourth. In six innings, Tepesch allowed six runs and five hits. He walked four and struck out four. "Just tried to get back to just commanding it down in the zone and making good pitches down in the zone," Tepesch said of rebounding from the first. The 25-year-old Tepesch got his first big league hit in his fifth career at-bat, sending a bouncer past diving shortstop Tejada leading off the fifth. Tejada robbed Tepesch of a hit in the third inning with a diving catch. NOTES: The Mets have scored 60 runs in the first, their best inning this season. ... Texas starting pitchers have hits in each of the three games. ... LHP Joe Saunders has cleared waivers and is now a free agent. The Rangers designated him for assignment Tuesday after he went winless in eight starts. He is 0-5 with a 6.13 ERA. ... The Mets placed LHP Jonathon Niese on the DL with shoulder fatigue. RHP Dillon Gee (right lat strain), on the DL since May 11, threw a bullpen Sunday and could take Nieses spot in the rotation Wednesday. ... Up next: The Mets host NL East-leading Atlanta Braves for four games. The Rangers return to Texas for a three-game set with Houston. The Rangers have lost 15 of 23 at home. Discount NBA Jerseys . -- Masahiro Tanaka knows that first appearance in a spring training game for the New York Yankees will be scrutinized. NBA Jerseys China .J. -- The NHL reduced its penalty against the New Jersey Devils on Thursday for signing Ilya Kovalchuk in 2010. https://www.nbachinajerseys.us/.Y. - OK, it is done. Nike NBA Jerseys China . Just ask last seasons Supporters Shield winners, the New York Red Bulls, who were resoundingly defeated last weekend by a rampant Vancouver Whitecaps in a match which produced two contenders for MLS Goal of the Week from Sebastian Fernandez and Pedro Morales. Cheap NBA Jerseys . Toronto has lost six of its last eight games but is coming off Thursdays 7-3 victory at Kansas City. Juan Francisco and Colby Rasmus both went deep for the Blue Jays, who are second in the American League with 34 home runs on the season.MILAN - Liverpool forward Mario Balotelli was recalled to the Italy squad on Sunday, receiving his first call up under new boss Antonio Conte.Balotelli was omitted from Contes first two squads but has been included in the 26-man list for next weeks crucial qualifier at home to Croatia.Alessio Cerci was also included for the first time since Italys disappointing World Cup.Torino defender Emiliano Moretti received a first call up to the national side, as did Genoa and Sampdoria midfielders Andrea Bertolacci and Roberto Soriano.The latter two were selected for pre-World Cup fitness tests in April.Juventus playmaker Andrea Pirlo is sidelined with injury, as is Napolis Lorenzo Insigne.Italy hosts Croatia in Milan on Nov. 16 in a qualifying match for the 2016 European Championship, with both teams level at the top of Group H after winning their opening two matches.The Azzurri play Albania in an international friendlyy in Genoa two days later, but another squad will be announced for that during the week.dddddddddddd___ItalyGoalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Mattia Perin (Genoa), Salvatore Sirigu (Paris Saint-Germain).Defenders: Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Emiliano Moretti (Torino), Angelo Ogbonna (Juventus), Andrea Ranocchia (Inter Milan), Daniele Rugani (Empoli).Midfielders: Andrea Bertolacci (Genoa), Giacomo Bonaventura (Milan), Antonio Candreva (Lazio), Alessio Cerci (Atletico Madrid), Matteo Darmian (Torino), Daniele De Rossi (Roma), Mattia De Sciglio (AC Milan), Stephan El Shaarawy (AC Milan),Claudio Marchisio (Juventus), Marco Parolo (Lazio), Manuel Pasqual (Fiorentina), Roberto Soriano (Sampdoria), Marco Verratti (Paris Saint-Germain).Forwards: Mario Balotelli (Liverpool), Sebastian Giovinco (Juventus), Ciro Immobile (Borussia Dortmund), Graziano Pelle (Southampton), Simone Zaza (Sassuolo). 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