Mets blow eight-run lead, then rally to sweep Marlins in dramatic fashion
· Yahoo Sports
So often, it’s been the Miami Marlins playing spoiler against the New York Mets.
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It happened in 2007, 2008 and 2025, with the Mets losing to the Marlins on the final day of the regular season each time, completing collapses that ended their playoff dreams.
But this year, the roles are reversed.
The Mets completed a three-game sweep of the playoff-hopeful Marlins with a roller-coaster 15-14 win in Miami on Wednesday night, dealing a blow to their division rival’s postseason chances.
There was nothing easy about Wednesday’s win, as the Mets blew an eight-run lead in the middle innings, then nearly squandered a six-run advantage late.
A six-run seventh inning — the Mets’ second six-run frame of the game — ultimately proved to be the difference in the dramatic, razor-thin victory.
The Mets offense pounded Marlins starter Janson Junk for eight runs in three innings, including a six-run top of the second that began with five straight hits.
In the third, Christopher Morel — who was released by the Marlins in June — struck a two-run home run against Junk, putting the Mets up, 8-0. It was Morel’s first homer in 32 games (10 with the Mets) this season.
Morel was only in the game, however, because Brett Baty exited with left knee pain after a second-inning RBI single. Morel replaced Baty as a pinch-runner, then remained in as the first baseman.
But the Mets couldn’t make that initial lead last.
Making his eighth appearance of the season, 36-year-old Mets starter Robert Stock allowed three runs in four innings with four strikeouts and two walks.
The Marlins then rallied in the sixth inning for five runs, all of which were charged to reliever Chris Devenski.
Devenski surrendered his first two runs before exiting with the bases loaded. All three inherited baserunners then scored against Daniel Duarte, with Jakob Marsee’s two-run single tying the game, 8-8.
But the Mets quickly answered, erupting for six runs in the seventh, with Francisco Lindor’s three-run home run against Tyler Zuber punctuating that rally for a 14-8 lead.
Morel finished 3 for 4 with three RBI against his former team. Luis Torrens went 3 for 5 with four RBI.
That was just enough offense to overcome a woeful showing by the Mets’ overhauled bullpen, which was rocked for 11 runs over five innings.
Even breakout rookie left-hander Nate Lavender, who didn’t allow a run in his first 14 MLB appearances, was tagged for the first three runs of his big-league career in the bottom of the ninth, recording only one out.
Tobias Myers got the final two outs, stranding the tying run at second base.
Entering Wednesday, the Mets’ overhauled bullpen had a 3.33 ERA since the trade deadline, despite four leverage relievers being moved and closer Devin Williams spending the past month on the IL.
The Mets (68-78) scored at least seven runs in all three games in Miami.
The Marlins entered the series at loanDepot Park with a .500 record and four games back of the third and final National League wild-card spot.
But with three consecutive losses to the Mets, the Marlins (72-75) dropped at least two games in the standings as the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres continue to surge.
The Mets are off Thursday before they begin a three-game Subway Series against the Yankees in the Bronx. That starts Friday night, when the New York teams will commemorate the 25th anniversary of 9/11.
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