Ninth Inning Rally Fans Short; Mets Drop Finale 3-2 To Marlins

The New York Mets looked to sweep the Miami Marlins out of Citi Field on Sunday afternoon but could not complete it as the offense was stymied and the bullpen failed as they dropped the series finale 3-2.

Paul Blackburn took the mound for the Mets and delivered a stellar six innings, effectively shutting down the Marlins’ offense. He allowed just four hits, issued one walk, and struck out four batters. When Huascar Brazoban came in to relieve Blackburn, he quickly found himself in a jam. After allowing runners on base, Brazoban threw a wild pitch that let the Marlins tie the game.

Reed Garrett then replaced Brazoban and managed to escape the inning, thanks in part to a diving catch by Brandon Nimmo. Garrett returned for the eighth inning but struggled against the Marlins lineup, eventually surrendering the lead. Although Phil Maton gave up the go-ahead hit, the run was charged to Garrett.

Offensively, the Mets couldn’t do much against Marlins starter Valente Bellozo. However, Blackburn’s strong outing allowed the Mets to collect seven hits and two runs by the sixth inning, giving them the lead. Francisco Lindor drove in Jesse Winker with a single to left in the fifth, and in the sixth, Brandon Nimmo broke the tie with a solo home run to right. Lindor recorded his 72nd RBI of the season, while Nimmo picked up his 71st. Starling Marte would notch a hit in three at-bats in his return to the lineup.

As a team, the Mets left seven runners on base and went 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position, including two big double plays hit by Pete Alonso and J.D. Martinez. The Mets would spark a rally in the bottom of the 9th with singles by Jose Iglesias and Tyrone Taylor but the next three hitters couldn’t come through, capped by a Mark Vientos strike out to kill the rally.

Stat of the Game: Pick Off Palooza

The Mets pulled off a stellar display on the mound by picking off three runners on the basepaths Sunday afternoon. Paul Blackburn picked off two runners at first base, then Reed Garrett picked off a runner at second base late in the game. Three runners are the second most the Mets have picked off in one game in franchise history.

Player of the Game: Paul Blackburn

After getting beat up by his old team, Paul Blackburn was stellar on the mound, pitching through six strong innings, only giving up four hits, issuing one walk, and striking out four batters along with picking off two batters at first base. That is now three of his four outings with the Mets that have been superb.

On Deck

The Mets continue their homestand tomorrow against the Baltimore Orioles. David Peterson (7-1, 3.04 ERA) looks to continue his stellar season against the Orioles and Trevor Rogers (2-11, 4.98 ERA). First pitch is at 7:10 pm and will be broadcast on SNY and WCBS 880 AM.

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