Luis Severino outdueled Dylan Cease and the New York Mets beat the San Diego Padres 8-3 in the opener of a four-game series between NL playoff contenders. Pete Alonso and Jeff McNeil had three hits apiece and Mark Vientos drove in three runs for the Mets, who improved to 4-0 against the Padres this season and have won six of nine overall. The Padres came into the day tied with division rival Arizona for the top wild card spot while the Mets were two games behind the Atlanta Braves for the final spot.