7/29 Game Recap: Mets Nip Marlins 6-5

Tonight at Marlins Park, in front of 12 fans, pumped in crowd noise, and thumping bass from a nightclub in the outfield, the Mets took on Miami in the first of a four game set.

Jul 26, 2013; Washington, DC, USA; New York Mets second baseman Daniel Murphy (28) is congratulated by outfielder Juan Lagares (12) after hitting a home run in the third inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

The Mets jumped in front in the third, when Daniel Murphy grounded a single to left to drive in a pair and put the Mets up 2-0.  David Wright followed with a double down the left field line that drove in Murphy and extended the Mets’ lead to 3-0.

In the bottom of the fourth, the combination of Jeremy Hefner and a horrific misplay allowed the Marlins to tie the game.  First, Hefner gave up an RBI triple to Ed Lucas to trim New York’s lead to 3-1.  With two and the bases loaded, Hefner got pitcher Jacob Turner to hit a grounder to shorstop Omar Quintanilla.  With the pitcher running, Quintanilla had a ton of time to field the ball and throw to first to record the final out of the inning.  Instead, he botched the play, allowing the ball to go through his legs.  Two runs scored on the play as the the Marlins tied things at 3.

Hefner was poor tonight (he walked five) and appeared to be out of gas in the fifth.  Scott Atchison was ready to go, but Terry Collins allowed Hefner to start the sixth inning at around 100 pitches.  After Hefner issued a leadoff walk and recorded a flyout, he remained out there to give up a hard single to left that was flubbed by Eric Young, Jr.  The misplay allowed the Marlins runners to advance to second and third, and set up a go ahead, two RBI single by Jeff Mathis that gave Miami a 5-3 lead.

The Mets fought back in the seventh.  After Eric Young, Jr. doubled, Daniel Murphy plated him with a run scoring single to close the gap to 5-4.  After Murphy stole second and moved to third on a wild pitch, Marlon Byrd drove him in with a two out single up the middle to tie the game at 5.  Ike Davis was up next, and roped the first pitch he saw down the line in right field.  Byrd came around to score all the way from first base, sliding in just under the tag of Jeff Mathis to put the Mets back in front 6-5.

New York’s bullpen took over from there, holding the Marlins scoreless over the last three innings to seal the victory.

Highlights:

• Jeremy Hefner got the start and turned in his third straight poor performance.  In 5.1 innings, Hefner gave up 5 runs (3 earned) on 4 hits.  He walked 5 and struck out 4.

• Daniel Murphy went 2 for 4 with a walk, 3 RBI’s and 2 runs scored

• David Wright went 2 for 5 with an RBI.

• David Aardsma, Josh Edgin, and LaTroy Hawkins combined to throw 2 2/3 innings of scoreless ball.

• Bobby Parnell allowed runners to reach first and third with 2 outs in the 9th but pitched around it to notch his 21st save of the year.

Thoughts:

Jeremy Hefner had another poor outing.  On the heels of getting clobbered in consecutive starts, Hefner turned in another clunker tonight, giving up 5 runs (3 earned) in 5.1 innings pitched.  He walked 5 and struck out 4.  While he was victimized by his defense, Hefner failed to give the team length while throwing a ton of pitches (111).  The contact off Hefner was solid, and he created trouble for himself by walking the leadoff hitter on three separate occasions.  Hefner was also left in too long…

Terry Collins continues to prove that his in-game management skills are poor.  Jeremy Hefner was gassed tonight by the time the fifth inning was over, and he was also pitching ineffectively.  Scott Atchison was ready in the pen, but Collins elected to have Hefner start the sixth.  Hefner responded by allowing three of the first four batters to reach (single, flyout, single/error, single) while the Marlins went ahead 5-3.  It was then, that Collins pulled Hefner.

After falling behind 5-3 due to a combination of poor pitching and lackadaisical defense, the Mets showed the fight they’ve been showing over the last few months.  They fought back in the seventh inning to plate 3 runs to take the lead, and the bullpen made it stand up.

Next Up:

The Mets and Marlins play the second game of their four game series tomorrow night at 7:10.  Zack Wheeler gets the start for New York.  He’ll be opposed by Nate Eovaldi.

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