Acquired from the Houston Astros in December, Vince Velasquez has allowed six hits and three walks while striking out 25 in 15 scoreless innings to open the season. Velasquez is coming off a complete game against the San Diego Padres during which he retired 22 of the final 23 batters he faced. Velasquez became the fourth pitcher since 1893 -- when the mound went to 60 feet, six inches -- to toss a shutout with 16 or more strikeouts, no walks and three or fewer hits. The others: Kerry Wood (1998), Roger Clemens (1998) and Max Scherzer (2015, in a no-hitter against the Mets).
Series preview: Mets at Phillies
