Game Recap: Comeback in 9th Gives Mets 5-3 Win

Last night’s ballgame shows the beauty of baseball. Josh Johnson had the Met hitters fit to be tied for 8 innings, but when he made his exit, New York was able to string together a four-run rally to take the lead and steal the game from the Miami Marlins in the 9th. For once, it was another team’s bullpen that blew the game instead of ours.

Mets Offensive Highlights:

Although there were no Mets players that registered multi-hit games, seven different players recorded a hit en route to their comeback win. New York didn’t get on the board until the 5th inning, which started with a Mike Baxter double. He moved to third after Andres Torres grounded out, then scored on a ground out from the struggling Josh Thole, who broke his 0-for-30 skid in the top of the 8th. No more scoring happened until the 9th, as Daniel Murphy and David Wright led things off with singles. Ike Davis struck out, as his at-bat including him squaring to bunt for some reason, but Lucas Duda singled to center to bring New York within one. Wright kept the pressure on the defense by going 1st to 3rd on the play. Baxter popped out and Torres walked to load the bases, although it looked like he could’ve been punched out twice, setting the stage for Kelly Shoppach. The catcher singled to center to tie the game, and Justin Ruggiano had a chance to throw out pinch-runner Jason Bayat home, but the ball got by him, allowing Torres to score as well, giving the Mets a 5-3 lead, which was all they needed to secure their third straight series victory.

Marlins Offensive Highlights:

It looked as though Miami was able to score early and often enough to get the victory, but the bullpen couldn’t hold onto the lead. In the 3rd, Bryan Peterson broke the scoreless tie with an RBI double, plating Donovan Solano. In the 6th, Jose Reyes and Carlos Lee both singled in front of Giancarlo Stanton, who got himself an infield hit to increase the lead to 2-0. Lee was at it again in the 8th, as he drove him Reyes, who walked and stole second base off the birthday boy in Ramon Ramirez. Ozzie Guillen and company thought that would be enough insurance for Steve Cishek, but not on this night.

Pitching Highlights:

Jeremy Hefner put together his second straight solid start for the Mets, but is once again handed a no-decision. He threw 6 innings and gave up 2 runs on 6 hits, 1 walks, and 4 strikeouts. Manny Acosta struck out the side in the 7th inning, and Ramon Ramirez ended the bullpen’s 16 inning scoreless streak by allowing a run in the 8th. Once New York took the lead, Frank Francisco came on to retire the side in order to earn his 23rd save of the season. Although he gave up a run, Ramirez ended up with his 3rd win of the year, celebrating his 31st birthday in style.

Josh Johnson was magnificent through 8 innings, as it looked like his personal four-game losing streak was going to come to an end. He gave up 1 run on 3 hits, 2 walks, and 4 strikeouts. He exited the game to give way the the Marlins’ most dependable reliever, Steve Cishek. However, he gave up 4 singles that lead to 4 runs scored (3 earned), as he blew his fourth save of the year, earning his second loss. Heath Bell came in to get the final out in the 9th, but it was too little, too late.

New York has now won six of seven, and are 63-70 on the season.

Probable Pitchers Sunday:

Terry Collins will send Chris Young (3-7, 4.64 ERA) to the mound to try and give the Mets a sweep of the Marlins. Miami will ask Mark Buerhle (12-11, 3.62 ERA) to provide yet another solid start for them. First pitch in Miami is set for 1:10pm.