Mets complete second straight sweep, defeat Marlins 8-6

After a celebratory weekend at Citi Field, the New York Mets (58-50) traveled to Miami and completed a three-game sweep over the struggling Marlins.

Matt Harvey picked up his 10th win on the season was backed up by the bustling offense en route to an 8-6 victory.

Game Recap:

The New York Mets had a habit of making the Marlins starting pitchers work early in ballgames. They continued that trend tonight.

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In the top of the third, Curtis Granderson singled, extending his on-base streak to 20 games, and Daniel Murphy walked, setting the stage for Yoenis Cespedes.

On a 3-2 count, Cespedes dunked a single to centerfield, driving in Granderson. Lucas Duda followed with a long double to left-center field, driving in both Murphy and Cespedes, giving the Mets an early 3-0 lead.

After Duda advanced to third, Michael Conforto hit a sacrifice fly to center field, allowing Duda to score, which also added one more run to the Mets’ lead.

In the top of the fifth, two Mets reached base thanks to a double off the bat of Murphy and a Duda walk. Juan Uribe stepped up to the plate and launched a long three-run home run over the left field wall, increasing the lead to 7-0.

With Harvey out of the game after seven innings, the Marlins were threatening in the bottom of the eight. They had two men reach base against Bobby Parnell, before Terry Collins made the call to the bullpen to have new Met, Eric O’Flaherty face Dee Gordon.

On the second pitch of the at-bat, Gordon flew out to left field, protecting the shutout bid for the Mets.

The Mets tacked on an additional run in the top of the ninth off a sacrifice fly from Duda, extending the lead to 8-0.

O’Flaherty stayed on in the top of the ninth, but allowed two runs. Hansel Robles came in to pitch, but allowed three runs to score.

With two outs in the ninth, Collins did not want to mess around and brought in Jeurys Familia to the ball game.

Luckily for the Mets, he allowed one run to score but ultimately secured the final out and gave the Mets their sixth straight win.

Highlights:

• Yawn. Another day, another spectacular start from Matt Harvey. He tossed seven shutout innings, striking out six, allowing only two hits. He also retired 13 straight Marlins after a somewhat tumultuous first inning.
• Ruben Tejada went 3-for-4 at the plate, which included two doubles.
• Juan Uribe 1-for-4 and drove in three runs.
• Lucas Duda went 1-for-2 with two walks and three RBIs.

Thoughts:

The Mets just completed their second straight sweep and have won six straight. They’re also victorious in nine out of the last 11 games.

Boy, what a difference a few weeks make, right? Back in mid-July, the Mets pitching was marvelous, yet the offense couldn’t score any runs. Now, their lineup is packed with potent sluggers that consistently gets into lengthy battles with opposing pitchers.

Sandy Alderson deserves credit for overhauling this offensively-inept ball club. He was the recipient of early backlash, but proved that patience would eventually pay off.

He knew that the team couldn’t rely on their pitching studs to carry the team to a National League East pennant and he made the right moves, and it has proved the difference, so far.

The best part about this run for the Mets, is that the offense is getting a different contributor every night. Last week, we heard about the heroics of Wilmer Flores, then the offensive onslaught from Lucas Duda. When the Mets got to Miami, it was all about Michael Conforto, then Yoenis Cespedes.

The night after, it was the Eric Campbell Show that featured Juan Lagares. Tonight, it was Juan Uribe with a supporting cast of everyone else.

That’s the biggest thing for the Mets. They’re getting hits from everyone and not just from the new guys.

Now, imagine what this offense could do when they get David Wright back and, hopefully, a healthy Michael Cuddyer.

Look out, folks.

The Mets are here to play.

Up Next:

The first place Mets will enjoy an off day tomorrow before starting a three-game set with the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday night.

Jacob deGrom takes the mound against Jake Odorizzi, with a scheduled first pitch of 7:10 p.m.