Marlins Top Mets, Cincinnati Leapfrogs New York in Wild Card Race
MIAMI – The Miami Marlins defeated the New York Mets 6-2 on Friday night, fueled by a six-run fifth inning and a strong pitching performance from Sandy Alcántara. The loss cost the Mets sole possession of the National League’s third wild Card spot,as the Cincinnati Reds moved into a tie with New York following their win against Milwaukee later Friday. Cincinnati holds the tiebreaker advantage.
Alcántara (11-12) surrendered a first-inning home run to Francisco Lindor – his 31st of the season – and a two-run double to Pete Alonso, but settled in to limit the Mets’ offense. He allowed six hits over his first three innings, then retired 10 consecutive batters before issuing a walk to Lindor to open the eighth, ending his outing.
The Marlins rallied against Mets starter Brandon Sproat (0-2) in the fifth. heriberto Hernández hit a two-run triple and scored on a sacrifice fly by Jakob Marse. Xavier Edwards added an RBI single, and a two-run home run by Connor Norby off reliever Gregory Soto capped the inning.
Xavier Edwards finished with three hits, while Otto López contributed a double and a single for Miami.
Cade Gibson relieved Alcántara and recorded two outs in the eighth. tyler Phillips then secured the save with four outs, escaping a bases-loaded situation in the eighth.
Lindor’s leadoff home run was his eleventh of the season when leading off an inning.
Sproat allowed four runs and five hits in 4.2 innings, his fourth start since being called up from Triple-A on September 7.
Mets third baseman Brett Baty exited the game in the second inning due to side discomfort.