Jason Bay Hits Grand Slam, Mets Sweep Marlins

I can’t decide which is a bigger story — the Mets sweep a series for the first time since mid-June or Jason Bay hits a grand slam. Well, whatever, both happened on Sunday.

The Mets couldn’t ask for a better start. Ronny Cedeno led off the game with a double to deep center. Justin Turner hit a fly down the right field line that Giancarlo Stanton overran. It went for a double but Cedeno, who was prepared to tag up, only made it to third. It didn’t matter because he scored on a David Wright ground out to make it 1-0. Scott Hairston flew out for the second out. Ike Davis walked and Kelly Shoppach was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Up stepped Bay, starting his first game in more than a week, and he somehow hit a grand slam into the seats in right. Yes, Jason Bay! Yes, a grand slam! The Mets had a 5-0 lead.

Chris Young allowed a run in the fifth to make it 5-1.

Then Terry Collins made perhaps his best move of the season — he removed Young from the game after the inning, knowing full well that Young’s usual sixth inning and beyond collapse was coming.

The bullpen turned in four innings of one-hit ball as the Mets won 5-1.

Don’t look now, but the Mets have won seven of their last eight games in their quest for respectability. They are now six games under .500 and tied with the Phillies for third place in the NL East. The sweep buried the Marlins in last place, five games behind the Mets and Phils.