June 11, 2019 NEW YORK -- When asked earlier this week what’s been different during Jason Vargas’ recent run of success, Mets manager Mickey Callaway bristled at the question. Callaway’s point was clear: few gave Vargas much of a chance, despite his recent history containing far more promising starts than poor ones. Perhaps they should have. In holding the Yankees to three runs over six innings Tuesday during a 10-4 Mets win in Game 2 of a doubleheader at Yankee Stadium, Vargas contributed his third consecutive quality outing. He has averaged more than seven innings per start during that stretch, with a 1.64 ERA. Longer term, Vargas has produced a 3.76 ERA over 105 1/3 innings since the 2018 All-Star break. If those numbers don’t pop off the page, they should given how contrary they run to Vargas’ reputation. As recently as mid-April, many were calling for the veteran’s rotation spot, urging general manager Brodie Van Wagenen to replace him with free agent Dallas Keuchel. The Mets never showed much interest in that, giving Vargas a public vote of confidence and largely ignoring Keuchel, who went to the Braves. Now, Vargas is rewarding their faith. After the Mets staked the left-hander to a six-run lead on Alonso’s three-run homer in the first inning and a trio of RBI singles off James Paxton in the third, Vargas cracked only a little. He allowed the first four Yankees to reach base in the bottom of the third, and the first three of those to score. Vargas then retired 10 of the final 12 batters he faced to help the Mets salvage a doubleheader split; they lost Game 1, 12-5. -~-~~-~~~-~~-~- Please watch: "2019 MLB FOOD FEST" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psGPvsE8T0c -~-~~-~~~-~~-~-