Marlins bounce back after blowing lead, beat Mets in walk-off
MIAMI (AP) -- Martin Prado had his first five-hit game Friday night, and his final hit gave the Miami Marlins an extra-inning victory.
Prado lined a two-out double in the 11th to score Christian Yelich from first base and beat the New York Mets 6-5.
Cole Gillespie singled to open the 11th against Mets reliever Erik Goeddel (0-1). Yelich hit into a fielder's choice, and scored without a play when Prado hit a 3-2 pitch into the right-field corner off Eric O'Flaherty.
"He actually made a pretty good pitch," Prado said. "Sometimes you can get lucky and be the hero."
The Marlins totaled 17 hits in their fourth consecutive victory. Even so, they trailed the NL East-leading Mets by 17 1-2 games.
"It would be easy to cash it in right now, because this season on the front end hasn't turned out the way we all thought," manager Dan Jennings said. "But you have a group of guys who come out every night ready to do battle."
The Mets tied the seesaw game by scoring a run with a two-out rally in the ninth, but they stranded 13 runners, including three in the eighth and three more in the ninth.
Mets starter Jacob deGrom allowed nine hits and three runs in six innings. His ERA has climbed to 2.40 from 1.98 on Aug. 24, but he was in line for his 13th win before an uncharacteristically shaky showing by the bullpen in the seventh.
The Mets took a 4-3 lead into the bottom of the seventh, but Sean Gilmartin faced two batters and both scored. Addison Reed walked Marcell Ozuna on a 3-2 pitch with the bases loaded to force in Miami's go-ahead run.
Miami's Bryan Morris retired Wright on a grounder with the bases loaded to end the eighth.
Brian Ellington (1-0) pitched around a single in the 11th for his first career win.
Tom Koehler, who had lost his past seven starts, held the Mets to three runs in six innings.
"We gave them some opportunities to get back in game," Koehler said, "but we just kept answering back offensively."
The Mets trailed 5-4 with two outs in the ninth when Travis d'Arnaud singled off closer A.J. Ramos. D'Arnaud took third on a single by Juan Uribe, and Kelly Johnson's single up the middle tied the game and handed Ramos his sixth blown save in 29 chances.
Kirk Nieuwenhuis tapped out with the bases loaded to end the inning.
MANAGER'S STATUS
Jennings is expected to return to his former job of general manager next season, but he declined to address speculation a decision has been made.
Which job does he like better?
"Right now I'm the manager," Jennings said. "That's what I like."
TRAINER'S ROOM
Marlins: RF Giancarlo Stanton still has soreness in his left hand, which required surgery in June, and he'll likely play in a simulated game before being activated, Jennings said. ... RHP Jarred Cosart (vertigo) was recalled from Single-A Jupiter and might make his first start since July 4 on Sunday, Jennings said. ... SS Adeiny Hechavarria (hamstring) was scratched from the starting lineup but expected to miss only a game or two, Jennings said.
UP NEXT
Mets RHP Bartolo Colon (12-11, 4.42), who hasn't allowed a run in his past two starts, is scheduled to take the mound Saturday against LHP Brad Hand (4-4, 4.54.)
