The Mets concluded the weekend series against the stripped down Miami Marlins with a big walk-off win on Sunday afternoon. The opening homestand ends with the Mets going 4-2 winning both series! Here are this weekend’s 3 Ups and 3 Downs.

Byrd’s Big Hit: Marlon Byrd was the hero Sunday afternoon with a walk-off base hit scoring Ruben Tejada and Kirk Nieuwenhuis. Tejeda was hit by a pitch, Nieuwenhuis then laced a single. Good aggressive baserunning by both Ruben and Kirk gave the Mets runners on second and third with Byrd at the plate. The Marlins pulled the infield in and Byrd laced a hit down the third base line. A nice win for the Mets.

The Jeremy & Jon Show: Jeremy Hefner was the hard luck loser on Friday night, going six innings and giving up only one run ( a Greg Dobbs homer), and Jon Niese received a no-decision on Saturday afternoon, after going six innings and giving up one earned run. As a consolation for their hard work, Hefner and Niese get the number two slot here on 3 & 3. The Mets starting pitching has been pretty decent these first six games, lets hope it continues.

Fishy Phenom: Rarely do we put any opposing players as an “Up”, but the story surrounding Jose Fernandez is absolutely amazing. If I understand it correctly, Fernandez and his family tried to leave Cuba a couple of times, before eventually succeeding. Fernandez also spent some time in prison for his actions. He saved a woman who fell into the ocean during their escape – the woman he fearlessly dive into the water to save turns out being his mother. He arrives to America, is drafted by the Marlins in the first round of the 2011 Draft and makes the jump to the majors from Single-A ball to debut against the Mets. Amazing. He also pitched a pretty good game on Sunday going five innings giving up one run and striking out eight.

A Leaky Pen: After Hefner left the game on Friday the Mets bullpen came in a gave up a bunch of runs. As the Mets drew closer, the pen surrendered even more runs. Thankfully it was just a Friday night hiccup, as the pen was strong on both Saturday and Sunday.

Ike’s Slow Start: Let’s hope that Ike Davis getting off to a slow start is not a perennial thing. Last season Ike was coming back from his ankle injury, and the Arizona fever and whatnot, and he had an awful start. Through the first six Ike is batting a woeful .136. On the plus side though, Ike did hit a home run to the Shea bridge during the Padre series.

What’s Up With R.A.: Last year’s Cy Young Award winner, and in my opinion, last year’s Met MVP, R.A. Dickey is off to a horrible start in Toronto. Through two games he’s given up ten earned runs in 10.2 innings, and has an ERA of 8.44. Is the knuckler not knuckling north of the border? Does the dome effect the way a knuckleball behaves? Let’s hope things improve for R.A. who gave the Mets some great memories during his three year stint with the team.

The Mets hit the road for the next nine games, visiting the City of Brotherly Love, the Twin Cities and the Mile HIgh City. Be sure to check your local listings for games times in the Twin Cities and Mile City. As always Let’s Go Mets!!!

The Mets (2-2) received their fourth straight solid outing from the rotation, but Jeremy Hefner’s effort was wasted as the offense disappeared and the bullpen was hit hard for the second time in four games in tonight’s 7-5 loss to Miami. The Mets have lost two straight after opening the season with two victories over San Diego. Miami won for the first time.

ON THE MOUND:  Hefner surrendered a homer to Greg Dobbs, the only run he allowed in six innings. The Mets will take that every time. What they can’t accept was what the bullpen combination of Greg Burke and Scott Rice did, giving up four runs on three hits and a walk in the five-run seventh inning to break the game open. … Overall, the Mets’ pen gave up six runs.

AT THE PLATE:  Jordany Valdespin started in center and at the leadoff position and singled. He was also picked off first base. … Daniel Murphy hit a three-run homer in the seventh. … Ike Davis has started the season on a 1-for-16 slide. … The Mets stranded 12 runners.

IN THE FIELD:  Sparkling plays by David Wright and Ruben Tejada. Few make the barehanded scoop-and-throw as well as Wright. … Tejada made a costly throwing error that opened the door to the Marlins’ five-run seventh. It was his third in four games.

METS MUSINGS: Shaun Marcum was scheduled to return to Port St. Lucie and will be shut down for a couple of days. Don’t expect to see him any time soon. … Look for Anthony Recker to start in place of John Buck tomorrow afternoon.

ON DECK: Saturday, RHP Ricky Nolasco vs. LHP Jon Niese, 1:10 p.m., SNY/WFAN

Thoughts by Joe D.

I agree with you, John… Hefner in theory was supposed to be the Mets No. 5 starter and has now been forced into a more substantial role for the team. Last night’s performance was all the more impressive because he had to brave the frigid temperature and wind.

“I thought Jeremy pitched very well. It was tough circumstances to pitch in the wind and the cold,” Terry Collins said after the game.

“We didn’t make the plays we needed to make after we took him out. One thing we know about Hefner is he’s going to pound the strike zone, he’s going to change speeds and you’ve got to catch the baseball behind him.”

Heff did a great job of painting the corners and while he may not have the best stuff in the rotation, the kid is a pitcher’s pitcher.

I’m not usually too keen on tipping my cap to players not wearing Mets uniforms, but this could not be overlooked.

In an incident that was sort of forgotten in the Mets doubleheader sweep of the Marlins two days ago, Marlins third baseman Greg Dobbs did something that transcends the sport.

In the ninth inning of the first, game Dobbs ripped a line drive into the first few rows along the first base line. The ball struck a child straight in the face.

The child was bleeding profusely and was hospitalized. The boy suffered a deep laceration, but there were no life threatening injuries.

Before being rushed to the hospital, the boy was showered with baseball souvenirs, including a jersey from Justin Turner and a game-used bat from Dobbs.

However, Dobbs caring for the boy’s well-being didn’t stop there.

Dobbs actually visited the hospital to check on the boy and talk with his parents. He gave the mom his number so she could give him updates throughout the night.

Dobbs also admittedly prayed for the boy’s health that night and wished him well.

Of course, hitting the ball into the stands is always a complete accident, and players hope that it avoids hitting anyone, especially children. But unfortunately, accidents do happen.

It was the way Dobbs handled this accident that showed there are more important things than baseball sometimes.

Good for you Dobbs and hopefully that boy winds up OK!