Sonny Gray allowed five hits and one run with one walk and three strikeouts over six innings to earn the win in a 6-2 triumph over the Mets on Friday.

Meant to be tired after the Red Sox’s travel woes between Thursday and Friday, Gray lulled the Mets to sleep here. He didn’t have anything close to his best swing-and-miss stuff and only forced two whiffs, but showed great command of his sinker and used it to wriggle out of a few jams with some timely double plays. After this excellent start, he’ll close the first half with a 2.54 ERA, 85 strikeouts, and 24 walks across 95 2/3 innings. That is the lowest ERA by a qualified pitcher that did not make either All-Star team.