MIAMI — Luis Severino needs to disappoint more often.
After learning he would not be able to play against the Yankees in the Subway Series last month, the Mets right-hander had his best performance of the season against the Cubs.
And on Saturday, the Mets will start left-handers Jose Quintana and Sean Manaea instead against the Yankees, but Severino pitched well again after his request to face his former team was again turned down.
The Mets needed all they could on a day when their batting lineup was virtually silent in a 1-0 win over the Marlins at LawnDepot Park.
Severino threw a four-seam fastball that averaged 96.9 mph (about a mile faster than his season average) and allowed just two hits in six innings while striking out seven, walking three and being hit by pitch once.
This was his first good outing since pitching six scoreless innings against the Cubs on June 23rd, when he struck out 10 batters and walked zero batters.
Behind Severino, Jose Butt, Deniel Nunez and Edwin Diaz each pitched one scoreless inning for the Mets (50-47).
Diaz returned to the scene of his biggest blunder of the season and struck out all three batters he faced for the save.
In a game played here on May 18, the right-hander blew a four-run lead in the ninth inning and the Mets lost in the 10th.
Diaz has struggled since then and was removed from the closer role to help him regain his confidence.
Marlins starter Rodney Munoz gave the Mets a hard time, allowing three hits, one hit by pitch and three walks in five innings.
Munoz conceded the only goal of the game.
Pete Alonso’s leadoff double in the fourth inning gave the Mets a run.
After Alonso hit a double to left field, Mark Vientos was hit by a pitch and DJ Stewart was walked to load the bases.
Francisco Alvarez hit a grounder that Xavier Edwards gloved and threw to second base for the second out and Alonso scored.
