Mets hold off furious Miami rally in 9th, win 6th straight
The New York Mets made their latest win look easy. Until the ninth inning, that is.
Closer Jeurys Familia finally induced the last out and the NL East leaders halted Miami's furious six-run rally in the ninth, holding off the Marlins 8-6 Wednesday night for their sixth consecutive victory.
Ahead 8-0 going into the last inning, the Mets watched the Marlins actually bring the potential winning run to the plate. Familia retired Christian Yelich on a sharp grounder with two on to end it.
Mets manager Terry Collins said he really started to worry after a two-out walk to eighth-place hitter Jeff Mathis.
"We have to make them swing the bat," Collins said. "You can't walk anybody with that type of lead. When you walk that guy, they are going to get to the top of the order and then we've got problems."
Juan Uribe hit a three-run homer and Lucas Duda drove in three runs, giving Matt Harvey (10-7) a huge lead. Harvey pitched seven dominant innings, giving up two hits and striking out six without a walk.
"Run support helps," Harvey said. "With a seven-run lead, it was my job to pound the zone."
Mets relievers Eric O'Flaherty, acquired Tuesday from Oakland, Hansel Robles and Familia all struggled in the ninth.
Familia gave up two hits, but retired Yelich for his 29th save in 34 chances. Yelich made two outs in the last inning.
David Phelps (4-8) went 4 1/3 innings as Miami lost its third in a row.
The Marlins had managed just three hits until their late surge.
Justin Bour hit an RBI double and scored on Ichiro Suzuki's single off O'Flaherty. Robles walked Mathis and pinch-hitter Miguel Rojas then sliced a three-run double that made it 8-5.
Dee Gordon greeted Familia with an RBI single and Derek Dietrich, who led off the inning with a single, followed with an infield hit. Yelich then grounded out to Duda at first base.
"To be down 8-0, it would have been easy to cash it in right there and just finish the game and get it over," Marlins manager Dan Jennings said. "These guys showed heart and didn't quit and battled back to bring the winning run to the plate in the ninth."
Miami has lost 10 of 12 and Phelps has dropped five straight decisions.
"It's frustrating. Every bad pitch I made they hit hard," Phelps said.
Uribe, acquired recently from Atlanta, homered in the fifth for a 7-0 lead.
Yoenis Cespedes, another Mets newcomer, hit an RBI single and Duda delivered a two-run double that made it 3-0 in the third.
The Mets now lead the NL East by two games over slumping Washington.
"The additions have made a big difference, not just hitting the ball, but also having veterans this time of year," Collins said.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Mets: OF Michael Cuddyer, on the 15-Day DL since July 22 with left knee inflammation, might return in the upcoming series at Tampa Bay. "He will play when I think he should play," Collins said. "I really don't have anything more to say except that we have a DH in Tampa Bay. He might DH one game there."
UP NEXT
Mets: Start a three-game series against the Rays on Friday. Jacob deGrom (10-6. 2.09 ERA) is 7-2 with a 1.47 ERA over his last 13 starts. RHP Jake Odorizzi (6-6, 2.86 ERA) starts for the Rays.
Marlins: Begin a four-game road trip Thursday against Atlanta. RHP Jose Urena (1-5, 4.37 ERA) will start against Braves RHP Matt Wisler (5-2, 4.44). Urena has lost three of his last four starts.
