7/30 Game Recap: Mets Top Marlins 4-2 in 10 Innings

Tonight in Miami, it appeared for a while as if Zack Wheeler was about to pitch the second no-hitter in Mets history, but it wasn’t to be.

Jul 30, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher

Zack Wheeler

(45) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Before Wheeler began seriously flirting with history, the Mets took a 2-0 lead in the fourth when Juan Lagares drilled a two out triple to center field.

From then until the bottom of the seventh, it was the Wheeler show. The only hard hit ball Wheeler allowed through the first six innings was a drive to the center field wall off the bat of Logan Morrison that was reeled in by Juan Lagares. However, after striking out Giancarlo Stanton to open the seventh, Wheeler gave up his first hit of the game to Ed Lucas. It was a clean single to right field. During the next at bat, Wheeler lost his shutout when Donovan Solano stroked an RBI single to left. Right after that, he lost the lead when Jake Marisnick hit a jam shot that landed in short center field.

With the score tied at 2, Marlon Byrd led of the top of the eighth with a triple to center field. The Mets stranded him there, though, when Ike Davis struck out, John Buck grounded to third, Juan Lagares walked, and Omar Quintanilla struck out.

After the Mets’ failed opportunity in the eighth, the score remained knotted until the top of the 10th. The Mets loaded the bases to open the frame on consecutive singles by David Wright and Marlon Byrd, and a walk by Ike Davis. John Buck then roped a single back through the middle to plate Wright and Byrd and give the Mets a 4-2 lead.

Bobby Parnell nailed down the save in the bottom of the 10th to give the Mets their second straight victory in Miami.

Highlights:

Zack Wheeler got the start for the Mets and flirted with history. He had a no-hitter until there was one out in the 7th, before allowing 3 consecutive singles. His line: 7 innings pitched, 2 runs on 3 hits, 3 walks and 5 strikeouts. His ERA dropped to 3.55.

Juan Lagares smoked a 2 RBI triple in the 4th, and finished 3 for 3 with a walk.

LaTroy Hawkins and Scott Atchison tossed scoreless frames in the 8th and 9th respectively.

John Buck delivered a go ahead, 2 RBI single in the 10th.

Bobby Parnell worked around a 2 out walk in the 10th to earn his 22nd save of the season.

Thoughts:

Zack Wheeler was incredible tonight. He took a no-hit bid into the seventh and was in complete control from the start. He worked quickly, located extremely well (of his 87 pitches, 64 were strikes), and was able to escape a first and second, one out jam after losing both the no-hitter and the lead. Wheeler’s stuff was popping, and his pitch count was low, making it seem that a no-hitter could actually happen. Even though it didn’t, Wheeler’s start tonight was another promising step in his young career.

Next Up:

The Mets and Marlins play the third game of their four game set tomorrow night at 7:10. Jenrry Mejia gets the start for New York. He’ll be opposed by Henderson Alvarez.

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