Jacob deGrom tossed seven strong innings and helped his own cause with a two-run single as the surging New York Mets got back to .500 by beating the visiting Miami Marlins 6-2 in the first game of a doubleheader on Monday.

The Mets improved to a major league best 16-6 since the All-Star break to move to .500 (56-56) for the first time since they were 27-27 after a win on May 28. New York has not been above .500 since it was 16-15 following a win on May 2.

The Marlins have lost three in a row and five of six.

DeGrom (7-7) allowed two runs on five hits and one walk while striking out eight as he completed seven innings for the fourth straight start and the fifth time in his last six outings. He retired 15 of the final 16 batters he faced Monday.

The reigning National League Cy Young Award winner has a 2.31 ERA in his past 18 starts dating to May 1.

The Mets took a lead when Jeff McNeil homered on the first pitch of the game off Robert Dugger (0-1), who was making his big-league debut. Miami tied the game on consecutive pitches to begin the second, when Brian Anderson and Starlin Castro both doubled.

Amed Rosario gave the Mets the lead for good with a one-out homer in the third. The Mets loaded the bases without hitting the ball out of the infield in the fourth when deGrom's two-run single up the middle extended their lead to 4-1.

The Mets added insurance in the fifth, when Pete Alonso laced an RBI single and J.D. Davis lofted a sacrifice fly.

Marlins second baseman Isan Diaz, who also made his major league debut Monday, homered leading off the sixth for his first hit.

McNeil and Rosario each had two hits for the Mets.

Jon Berti had two hits for the Marlins.

Dugger, who was 8-9 with a 5.33 ERA in 20 starts between Double-A Jacksonville and Triple-A New Orleans, allowed six runs on five hits and four walks while striking out three over five innings.

--Field Level Media