Mets Lose in Extra Innings to Marlins Again
Well, at least this game was shorter. The Marlins beat the Mets in extra innings again on Sunday, sweeping a second straight series from the less-than Amazins.
The Marlins drew first blood off of Jonathon Niese in the second, courtesy of a walk and a couple of singles.
Daniel Murphy, hitting cleanup, tied the game at one when he led off the bottom of the second with a home run.
The Mets took the lead in the third. Juan Lagares singled and Niese walked. Omar Quintanilla bunted to sacrifice, but it was such a good bunt that he was safe at first without a throw to load the bases. After Jordany Valdespin popped out, David Wright finally came through with the big hit that eluded the Mets for 20 innings on Saturday. He doubled to center to score two to make it 3-1. Daniel Murphy then grounded out to plate another run to make it 4-1.
In the sixth inning Juan Pierre and Ed Lucas singled, and they both scored on a double by sudden Mets killer Marcell Ozuna. He went to third when Lagares bobbled the ball in center. That made the score 4-3 and Niese was able to strand Ozuna at third to keep the Mets in the lead.
Niese was pulled from the game with two outs in the seventh inning after allowing two singles. LaTroy Hawkins came in with runners on first and second and got a ground out to end the inning.
After missing his last start because of shoulder tendinitis, Niese pitched well, going 6.2 innings, allowing three runs on eight hits. He struck out four batters and walked one.
But he got a no decision because in the eighth inning Scott Rice gave up a solo home run to Derek Dietrich to tie the game at four. It was the first home run Rice has allowed in his 721 appearances this season.
Bobby Parnell was called upon to pitch the ninth inning of a 4-4 game. He got the first out but then Pierre and Lucas singled to put runners on first and third. Parnell struck out Dietreich for the second out and got Ozuna to hit a grounder to Wright for the third out.
Murphy walked to lead off the bottom of the ninth. Terry Collins ordered Mike Baxter to sacrifice — even on two strikes! — and Baxter fouled off the bunt attempt and struck out. A wasted out. Turner struck out. Murphy stole second, but Recker struck out and we were onto extra innings again.
Parnell was sent back out for the 10th, and Logan Morrison and Justin Ruggiano led off with back-to-back singles to put runners on first and second. Adeiny Hechvarria hit a grounder to Murphy who was thinking double play and got in position to make the throw. However, that did not leave him in good position to field the ball. It skipped past him and Morrison scored on the error to give the Marlins the lead, 5-4. Parnell was pulled with runners on first and third with no outs. Robert Carson came in and allowed a fly ball to Greg Dobbs to left. Baxter made a good throw but Ruggiano got in just under the tag to make it 6-4. Miguel Olivo then slammed a two-run homer to put the game out of reach.
Mets lose 8-4 and the Marlins sweep the rain-shortened two-game series. Ten of the Marlins 18 wins this season have come against the Mets. What an embarrassment.