Sitting two games back of the final Wild Card spot entering Friday, the Mets’ three-game series at Citi Field with the last-place Miami Marlins looked like the calm before the storm. After this weekend, New York gets three more at home with the Baltimore Orioles before heading west to play seven games against two of the hottest teams in baseball: the San Diego Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks, both of whom the Mets are actively chasing in the standings.
So far, smooth-sailing.
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Jeff McNeil hit a go-ahead two-run homer and Brandon Nimmo launched a three-run shot in a six-run fourth inning that keyed a 7-3 victory. Between the homers, Francisco Lindor hit his first triple of the season to score Harrison Bader.
With Jesse Winker adding a single and J.D. Martinez a double, the Mets (63-59) hit for the cycle in the inning. It was only the second time the team had done that over the past seven years, per SNY.
Sean Manaea (9-5) gave up three earned runs in seven frames to earn his team-leading ninth win. A day after blowing a five-run lead in a 7-6 loss to Oakland, the Mets never let this one get close in the later innings.
Martinez singled home Nimmo with two outs in the first inning to open the scoring. The Marlins (45-77) took the lead with two runs in the fourth, the second of which came when the Mets failed to turn an inning-ending double play. McNeil’s throw pulled Pete Alonso off first and the Mets unsuccessfully challenged the call.
Nimmo was in an 0-for-17 stretch when he connected for his 17th long ball of the season and his first since the All-Star break. McNeil’s homer was his 12th and seventh since the break.
Jose Buttó tossed two scoreless innings in relief to end the game.
Stat of the Game
Here’s a doozy. Who holds the record for fewest at-bats per home run age 24 or younger in Mets history? Entering Friday, it was Alonso (11.3 at-bats), followed by Darryl Strawberry (13.6) and Mark Vientos (13.8). Thanks to SNY for that nugget. Vientos also entered the game fourth in the National League in slugging percentage (.557) among hitters who have had at least 250 at-bats. The three players ahead of him were All-Stars Shohei Ohtani, Marcell Ozuna and Ketel Marte.
Player of the Game
McNeil was 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs. His OPS was .986 over the last 30 days entering the game.
On Deck
Luis Severino (7-6, 4.17 ERA) faces rookie right-hander Max Meyer (3-2, 5.20 ERA) at 4:10 pm. ET at Citi Field. Severino has given up 16 earned runs covering 18 innings in his last four starts. The 25-year-old Meyer has never faced New York.
