Mets' Ronny Mauricio homers in second straight Triple-A game, Paul Blackburn tosses seven scoreless innings

Mets prospect Ronny Mauricio continued his hot start in Triple-A, hitting a home run for the second straight game during Syracuse’s 5-2 win over the Rochester Red Wings on Wednesday.

The 24-year-old had two hits in his first game with Syracuse on Sunday and followed that up with a three-hit game on Tuesday, including his first home run of the season.

Serving as the designated hitter on Wednesday, Mauricio hit the two-run homer on a 2-1 breaking ball with one out in the seventh inning, crushing it to right field.

Mauricio finished 2-for-2 with two RBI and two walks (one intentional). He also picked up a stolen base after being walked in the fifth inning — it’s his second stolen base in Triple-A.

The infielder is now hitting .636 (7-for-11) over three Triple-A games, a big improvement from his rehab assignment with St. Lucie and Binghamton where he had just four hits over 10 games.

Prior to being reinstated from the 10-day IL and sent to Triple-A on May 17, Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said Mauricio will stay in the minors “until we have a need.”

Meanwhile, starter Paul Blackburn (knee) tossed seven scoreless innings in his sixth rehab start (third with Syracuse) as he works his way back to the majors.

Blackburn allowed just one hit over 87 pitches, striking out six and walking two. It was by far his best rehab appearance this month, having let up nine earned runs over his previous four starts in May.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Tuesday that the goal was for Blackburn to throw 80 pitches and if all goes well, the team will have to make a decision on what’s next for him.