Mets capitalize on Marlins overtime error in start win

The Mets unveiled Keith Hernandez’s « 17 » plaque in the rafters, but the former first baseman’s number wasn’t the only thing removed on Saturday.

Less celebrated by the sold-out crowd of 43,336 at Citi Field was the Mets’ batting out for nine innings, before a dose of ugly-ball from the Marlins intervened.

Marlins pitcher Tan Scott threw Brandon Nimmo’s return, sending home the game-winning run late in the 10th inning in a 5-4 Mets win, after Starling Marte and James McCann left the game early with injuries .

Marte left the game in the fourth inning with a tight left groin, according to the Mets. McCann left in the sixth with a tight left side after tagging Jesus Sanchez at home plate; he was replaced at receiver by Tomas Nido. Both players will receive imagery and be evaluated on Sunday.

In the bottom of the 10th, with the Mets leading 4-3, Nido’s throw under third baseman Brian Anderson’s glove allowed autorunner Mark Canha to score the tying run with two outs. Nido, who finished second with a brace, scored after Scott threw Nimmo’s grounder.

The Marlins had taken the lead in the top of the 10th when Francisco Lindor’s errant pitch allowed autorunner Billy Hamilton to score the kickoff. Jon Berti hit a grounder into the hole that Lindor gloved. The shortstop shot at third in an attempt to nail Hamilton, but his shot was ahead of Eduardo Escobar’s return in the sack.

The Mets, who held their NL East lead over the Braves to 2½ games, had just five hits, including two home runs.

Adam Ottavino gave up a first homer to Jesus Aguilar in the eighth inning which tied the score 3-3. It was Ottavino’s second straight disappointment against the Marlins; the right-hander allowed a home run to Nick Fortes on June 26 in Miami, which cost the Mets an opportunity in a three-game sweep. On Saturday, Ottavino worked ahead 0-2 in the count at Aguilar before hooking a slider that disappeared over the left field fence.

Lindor hit a two-run homer in the sixth against Braxton Garrett that gave the Mets a 3-2 lead. The outburst, from the left-field foul post, was Lindor’s fifth in 10 games against the Marlins this season and 15th overall. Lindor stood at home plate trying to fine tune the ball just as it left his bat.

The Mets didn’t get their first hit until the fourth inning, when Alonso broke a two-out solo home run just inside the left-field foul post. The homer was Alonso’s first since June 25 and gave him 23 for the season. Alonso snapped a 10-game no-RBI streak and increased his MLB lead to 70.

Brian Anderson’s RBI brace against Carlos Carrasco tied it 1-1 in the fifth, but Luis Guillorme’s solid stint at home plate helped limit the damage. Guillorme gloved Nimmo’s throw and in one motion shot McCann, who scored Sanchez. McCann left the game on a subsequent pitching change, after catching his left side.

Seth Lugo and Nido entered the game with two outs and runners at second and third. With Bryan De La Cruz at the plate, Lugo fired a fastball over Nido’s glove for a wild pitch that put the Marlins up 2-1.

Carrasco allowed two earned runs on seven hits with five strikeouts and two walks in 5 ½ innings. It was a second straight strong performance from Carrasco, who gave up an earned run in 5 ²/₃ innings against Rangers last Sunday.

Carrasco charged with no one in the first inning, but escaped pulling Sanchez out before hitting Garcia into a double play. In the inning, Berti hit a brace, Garrett Cooper walked, and Aguilar reached the catcher’s interference call against McCann.