Buck’s Grand Slam Powers Mets Past Twins

John Buck kept up his powerful start with a grand slam, his fourth home run in the last four games, and the New York Mets beat the Minnesota Twins 16-5 as snowflakes fell at Target Field on Friday night.

Buck became only the fourth major league player in at least 92 years to reach 19 RBIs in the first 10 games of a season, according to STATS research dating to 1921. Chris Davis did it for Baltimore this year, Manny Ramirez for Cleveland in 1999 and Lou Gehrig for the Yankees in 1927 were the others.

In his first two weeks with the Mets after being traded twice during the offseason, Buck already has six homers. His career high is 20.

Jonathon Niese (2-0) lasted only five innings in frigid weather, ending his streak of 22 consecutive starts of six or more that dated to last June. That was the longest current run in the majors.

(Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)