MIAMI — Much of the Mets lineup has yet to return from the All-Star break, with the exception of Jeff McNeil and Francisco Lindor.
McNeil, when not home resting, has spent his time off at the golf course and at the water park. He’s been a force in the lineup after a dismal first half, at least for this first series. Lindor, after three unspectacular games, may be starting to recapture the form he had during his torrid June and July.
The pair combined for three home runs and five RBIs on Monday night, helping the Mets escape South Florida after splitting their fourth straight game with a 6-4 win over the Marlins at LawnDepot Park.
The Mets (51-48) enter Tuesday’s Subway Series riding high on momentum and will be looking to rev up their offense after allowing just 3.25 runs per game in four games against Miami.
McNeil had six RBIs, including three homers, accounting for nearly half of the RBIs. Lindor had two home runs on the night.
David Peterson led the Mets to the win, allowing just two earned runs on six hits and four walks in five innings while striking out four. The left-hander is still trying to find consistency in his pitching minutes, but he hasn’t allowed more than two earned runs in a single appearance since June 12.
Jose Bhutto gave up one run in two innings in relief, before Phil Mutton and Edwin Diaz took over in the eighth and ninth innings.
Diaz gave up one run in the ninth inning, striking out Jake Berger with runners on second and third.
McNeil’s third home run of the series gave the Mets a 2-0 lead heading into the second inning. McNeil, who hit two home runs on Friday for the second time in his career, smashed a homer into the second deck in right field after DJ Stewart reached base on a walk to lead off the inning.
In the second inning, Vidal Brujan hit a timely double to put the Marlins up 2-1. Xavier Edwards walked and stole second base, then Brujan hit a ball to his right and was called for the out while trying to extend his second into a third.
In the fourth inning, Jose Iglesias’ leadoff triple sparked a Mets comeback.
After McNeil scored on a sacrifice fly to score one run, Harrison Bader singled and tried to steal second but was out, then Lindor homered to put the Mets up 4–1.
In the fifth inning, Iglesias was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, giving the Mets their fifth run. J.D. Martinez and Stewart both walked, and Pete Alonso singled in between.
But after Iglesias was hit, neither McNeil nor Bader were productive, and the Mets missed a chance to decide the game.
Peterson quickly got two outs in the bottom of the inning before Josh Bell homered to cut the Mets’ lead to 5-2. Berger then doubled, but Peterson struck out the final batter, Otto Lopez.
Brian De La Cruz hit a solo home run against Bats in the seventh inning to put the Marlins within 5-3.
Lindor’s second home run of the day, a solo homer in the ninth inning, extended the lead to three runs.
De la Cruz’s throw back to Diaz should have resulted in a double play that would have ended the game, but confusion at second base meant no one could cover. De la Cruz reached first base and the Marlins scored their fourth run.
