Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports
The Mets (56-51) took down the Marlins (46-62), 5-3, on Wednesday evening in Miami. The triumph was backed behind strong pitching from six different Mets who combined to allow three earned runs on seven hits, with no walks and 12 punchouts. The offense mustered five runs on 11 hits and managed to pull out the win. This keeps New York in first place in the NL East, with a 1.5-game lead over the Phillies, who they will visit this weekend.
New York took an early lead by scoring three runs in the second inning. Dominic Smith got the offense going with a double before a Javier Baez single and a Michael Conforto walk loaded the bases with no outs. Jonathan Villar‘s RBI groundout got the Mets on the board. Up next, Tomas Nido grounded into a fielder’s choice, and in a tremendous effort, Baez avoided the tag at the plate to tack on another run. Carlos Carrasco followed with a bunt to the pitcher, who, in an attempt to throw to second for a double play, sent the ball into the outfield, scoring Conforto to make it 3-0.
In his second outing since returning from the injured list, Carrasco tossed 4 1/3 innings, allowing two runs on five hits. He recorded five strikeouts. Carrasco didn’t allow his first hit until the third inning, which was an Alex Jackson double. The starter began to get into trouble in the fifth after allowing three consecutive singles that led to a Marlins run. With runners on the corners and one out, he was lifted for Aaron Loup.
Loup limited the damage, but the Marlins tacked on another with a Jazz Chisholm RBI groundout to make it 3-2. He struck out one of the two batters he faced.
Jeurys Familia entered in relief in the sixth and allowed a leadoff solo homer to Jesus Aguilar to tie the game up, 3-3. For the third consecutive evening against the Marlins, the Mets blew a lead of three-plus runs. Luckily, they were able to rally on Wednesday. In the eighth, Baez knocked a solo blast to right field to put New York back on top. In the same frame, the club added an insurance run with the aid of a few Miami miscues. Conforto and J.D. Davis both singled, with Conforto reaching third on a throwing error by Jazz Chisholm at short. Brandon Nimmo walked, and the passed fourth ball by catcher Alex Jackson scored Conforto.
Miguel Castro (3-3) earned the win, Drew Smith was credited with a hold (1), and Trevor May got the save (4), each tossing a scoreless inning in relief. Castro had one strikeout, and May recorded two.
While the pitching staff held it down, the offense looked pretty bleak on Wednesday evening. The Mets squandered several opportunities on Wednesday evening as they went 2-for-13 with runners in scoring position and left 12 on base. With the aid of solid pitching and a few Fish errors, the club pulled out the win, but the offense needs to start hitting. The 1.5-game lead over Philadelphia can be quickly erased in the three-game series between the two teams starting Friday evening at Citizens Bank Park.
The Mets will look to secure a split Thursday in the series finale at 12:10 pm ET. Rich Hill (6-4, 4.10 ERA), will take the mound for New York. The Marlins starter has yet to be determined. Fans can catch the action on SNY, MLB Network, or WCBS 880 AM.
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