Cespedes has grand return to Mets’ lineup

NEW YORK — Yoenis Cespedes’ six-game absence from the Mets’ starting lineup ended in record-setting fashion Friday, when he and his bruised right leg played center field for the first time since April 22. Cespedes had appeared in just one game over that stretch, walloping a pinch-hit, game-tying home run Tuesday against the Reds on the only pitch he saw.

He evoked memories of that in a 13-1 win Friday against the Giants, clubbing a grand slam to nearly the same spot to cap a Mets-record 12-run third inning. That gave Cespedes nine straight games with an extra-base hit and six RBIs in a single inning, both franchise records.

“I’d like to say it was surprising,” Mets catcher Kevin Plawecki said, “but it really wasn’t.”

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Little Cespedes does these days surprises the Mets, so it was hardly unexpected when he singled home two runs off Jake Peavy early in the third. More than a half hour later, Cespedes sauntered to the plate again, eight runs already home.

Much like Tuesday, Cespedes …

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