Mets Win in 9th, Sweep Marlins

The last time the Mets swept a series at home was more than three months ago, June 18-20 against the Orioles. It was so long ago, forgotten starters Johan Santana and Dillon Gee won two of the three games. Well, that dubious streak is now over as the Mets completed a sweep of the Marlins on Sunday.

The Mets jumped out to the early lead. Daniel Murphy doubled and David Wright followed with a two-run shot to left-center. It was Wright’s 19th home run of the season.

The Marlins tied the game in the fifth. A couple of singles, a sacrifice bunt and a sacrifice fly plated the first run. With a runner on third with two outs Chris Young walked Gorkys Hernandez. Hernandez attempted a steal, and Kelly Shoppach’s throw sailed into center field. The runner on third scored on error to make it a 2-2 game.

Young pitched well, allowing two runs (one earned) in six innings with five strikeouts.

The score was still tied at two in the bottom of the ninth. Scott Hairston led off with a single. After Lucas Duda struck out Hairston moved to second on a passed ball. Andres Torres walked. Pinch hitter Jordany Valdespin hit a grounder to Jose Reyes. They got the out at second but Valdespin beat the throw to first. With the potential winning run on third with two outs, Terry Collins sent Fred Lewis up to pinch hit. Valdespin stole second so the Marlins intentionally walked Lewis to set up a force at any base. Up stepped Ruben Tejada, who lined a single to left to win the game.

It was an odd decision by Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen. Why would he want to pitch to Tejada instead of Lewis, who spent the entire season in the minors?

In any case, the Mets win 3-2 and get the rare home sweep.

*****

Someone needs to give Marlins play-by-play guy Rich Waltz a lesson on New York City geography. In-game reporter Craig Minervini (a Long Island native) was standing on the Shea Bridge and joked that he wasn’t sure if the bridge counted as one of the 2000+ bridges (and overpasses) in the city. Waltz said, “But we’re not in New York City.” Minervini had to explain that yes, Citi Field is indeed in the confines of the City of New York.

Later, Waltz told how the Marlins bus stalled “in the Lincoln Tunnel heading back into the city” on Saturday. Minutes later someone (probably Minervini) told him in his ear that it was the Queens-Midtown Tunnel.

Now you know why I often complain that I can’t always get the Mets feed of games!