Mets point to Grimace appearance as starting point for hot streak

In a season when not much has gone right, the New York Mets have suddenly caught fire -- and many fans are crediting an unlikely purple spark for igniting their team's unexpected turnaround.

By routing the Texas Rangers 14-2 Monday night, the Mets extended their winning streak to six games. During that span, they've averaged 7.5 runs per game and outscored their opponents 45-16.

The Mets' success can be traced back to the June 12 home game against the Miami Marlins -- when they celebrated the birthday of McDonald's mascot Grimace by having him throw out the ceremonial first pitch.

The rest, as they say, is McHistory.

After fileting the Fish that night and the next, the Mets swept the San Diego Padres for the first time in 18 years.

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And just to prove the magic was also available to go, the Mets took the first game of a three-game set in Texas on Monday to run their record to 6-0 in the Grimace Era.

Mets fans have to be lovin' it, with the team improving its record to 34-37, just one game out of the NL's third wild-card playoff spot.