Marlins @ Mets: 09/23 7:10 PM ET; SNY, FS-FL; WCBS, ESPN, WINZ

[Drucifer]

GAME 156, HOME GAME 75

Monday, 23rd September
7:10 PM ET
Citi Field




MARLINS -- STANDINGS -- METS



MARLINS -- LEADERS -- METS



MARLINS -- BATTING -- METS



MARLINS -- PITCHING -- METS



MARLINS -- TRANSACTIONS - INJURIES



METS -- TRANSACTIONS - INJURIES



GAME START WEATHER



MARLINS -- LINEUPS -- METS

[Drucifer]

Mets Face Marlins Needing Lots of Wins, Lots of Help



The New York Mets will continue their long-shot playoff push Monday night with a twist: This time, they'll be rooting for a division rival to beat someone not named the Milwaukee Brewers.

The Mets will look to gain a little ground in the National League wild-card race Monday night when they host the Miami Marlins in the opener of a four-game series.

Steven Matz (10-9, 4.16 ERA) is scheduled to take the mound for the Mets against the Marlins' Caleb Smith (9-10, 4.24 ERA) in a matchup of left-handers.

Both teams won Sunday, when the visiting Mets rode a four-run first inning to a 6-3 win over the Cincinnati Reds, and the host Marlins avoided a three-game sweep by beating the Washington Nationals 5-3.

The win by the Mets (81-74) assured them of just their third non-losing season this decade and kept them 4 1/2 games behind in the race for a National League wild-card spot. The scorching Brewers (86-70), who completed a three-game sweep of the Pittsburgh Pirates with a 4-3 win, are 15-2 in their last 17 games to move into a virtual tie with the Nationals (85-79) for the top wild card.

The Brewers are off Monday while the Nationals host the Phillies, who are six games behind the wild-card teams. On Tuesday night, the Mets can hope for some help from the Reds, who host Milwaukee in the opener of a three-game series.

Of course, none of it matters if the Mets don't win, and win a lot, in the final week.

"We're playing good baseball," Mets manager Mickey Callaway told reporters Sunday afternoon. "We just need to continue to put pressure on others and keep moving forward and focus on one game. We're (still) playing for something."

The Marlins (54-101) have been playing out the string for most of a second straight rebuilding season. But playing spoiler against the Nationals served as a reminder of the peskiness and resiliency Miami has displayed under Don Mattingly, who signed a two-year extension on Friday to remain the team's manager through the overhaul process.

Now the Marlins will look to continue impacting the playoff race during the penultimate series of the season.

"As for the Nationals, we came in hoping to knock them out of the playoff race a little bit," Marlins rookie outfielder Austin Dean told reporters Sunday afternoon. "Hopefully, that is a little wake-up call for the next couple of games."

Matz took the loss in his most recent start Sept. 16, when he gave up seven runs over four innings as the Mets fell to the Colorado Rockies 9-4.

Smith earned the win in his most recent start Sept. 17, when he allowed four runs over five innings in the Marlins' 12-6 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Matz is 4-3 with a 2.83 ERA in 11 career starts against the Marlins. Smith is 2-0 with a 3.18 ERA in four starts against the Mets.

[Drucifer]

• The Mets have gone 11-4 against the Marlins this season, outscoring Miami, 77-48 (+29). Mets pitching has a 3.09 ERA against the Marlins compared to a 4.41 ERA against all other teams -- their relievers have a 2.66 mark against Miami compared to a 5.29 mark otherwise.
• Miami has gone an MLB-worst 13-36 (.265) since August 1, pitching to a 5.66 ERA over that span, third worst in the National League. The Marlins have allowed 94 home runs since the beginning of last month, trailing only the Rockies (95) league-wide.
• Starlin Castro has 54 extra-base hits this season. He is one of three National League second basemen with at least 50, along with Atlanta's Ozzie Albies (73) and Los Angeles' Max Muncy (55) (based on most played position in 2019).
• New York has won four of its last five following three losses in its previous four games. One more win this season will give the Mets just their third winning season since 2009.
• Pete Alonso has 334 total bases this season, currently ranking 14th in a rookie season all-time. He is 40 shy of the all-time record of 374, jointly held by Tony Oliva (1964 Twins) and Hal Trosky (1934 Indians).
• Caleb Smith has the lowest opponent batting average (.217) among the 30 left-handed pitchers who have faced at least 500 batters this season. He is allowing 1.87 home runs per nine innings, ranking fifth in the same population of pitchers, ahead of opposing starter Steven Matz (1.51, seventh).

[Drucifer]

IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE TO LOCAL FANS

[Drucifer]

Top of 1:
Marlins first. Berti struck out. M.Rojas grounded out, third baseman Frazier to first baseman Alonso. Castro flied out to right fielder Conforto.
Runs: 0, Hits: 0

Bottom of 1:
Mets first. Rosario flied out to right fielder Brinson. McNeil singled to center. Alonso struck out. Davis singled to center, McNeil to second. Ramos walked on a full count, McNeil to third, Davis to second. Frazier popped out to second baseman I.Díaz.
Runs: 0, Hits: 2

Top of 2:
Marlins second. Alfaro homered to left on a full count. H.Ramírez grounded out, shortstop Rosario to first baseman Alonso. I.Díaz grounded out, first baseman Alonso to pitcher Matz. Dean struck out.
Runs: 1, Hits: 1

Bottom of 2:
Mets second. Conforto flied out to center fielder Berti. Lagares walked. Matz grounded out, first baseman Dean unassisted, Lagares to second. Rosario flied out to right fielder Brinson.
Runs: 0, Hits: 0

Top of 3:
Marlins third. Brinson was out bunting, first baseman Alonso unassisted. Smith grounded out, first baseman Alonso to pitcher Matz. Berti doubled to left. M.Rojas singled to center, Berti scored. Castro grounded out, pitcher Matz to first baseman Alonso.
Runs: 1, Hits: 2

Bottom of 3:
Mets third. McNeil grounded out, pitcher Smith to first baseman Dean. Alonso singled to left. Davis flied out to center fielder Berti. Ramos singled to center, Alonso to second. Frazier fouled out to third baseman Castro.
Runs: 0, Hits: 2

Top of 4:
Marlins fourth. Alfaro grounded out, pitcher Matz to first baseman Alonso. H.Ramírez singled to center. I.Díaz grounded into a double play, pitcher Matz to shortstop Rosario to first baseman Alonso, H.Ramírez out.
Runs: 0, Hits: 1

Bottom of 4:
Mets fourth. Conforto walked. Lagares struck out. Matz struck out. Rosario popped out to second baseman I.Díaz.
Runs: 0, Hits: 0

Top of 5:
Marlins fifth. Dean singled to center. Brinson grounded into a double play, shortstop Rosario to second baseman McNeil to first baseman Alonso, Dean out. Smith struck out.
Runs: 0, Hits: 1

Bottom of 5:
Mets fifth. McNeil grounded out, first baseman Dean unassisted. Alonso popped out to second baseman I.Díaz. Davis flied out to left fielder H.Ramírez.
Runs: 0, Hits: 0

Top of 6:
Marlins sixth. Berti singled to left. M.Rojas singled to left, Berti to second. Castro singled to right, Berti to third, M.Rojas to second. Alfaro homered to center on a 1-1 count, Berti scored, M.Rojas scored, Castro scored. Familia pitching. H.Ramírez grounded out, shortstop Rosario to first baseman Alonso. I.Díaz singled to center. Dean lined out to second baseman McNeil. Brinson grounded into fielder's choice, shortstop Rosario to second baseman McNeil, I.Díaz out.
Runs: 4, Hits: 5

Bottom of 6:
Mets sixth. Ramos flied out to center fielder Berti. Frazier singled to left. Conforto walked on a full count, Frazier to second. Lagares hit an infield single to shortstop, Frazier to third, Conforto to second. Davis pinch-hitting for Familia. Davis popped out to shortstop M.Rojas. Rosario homered to left on a 0-1 count, Frazier scored, Conforto scored, Lagares scored. McNeil grounded out, first baseman Dean unassisted.
Runs: 4, Hits: 3

Top of 7:
Marlins seventh. Lockett pitching. Granderson pinch-hitting for Smith. Granderson walked on a full count. Berti singled to left, Granderson to second. Brach pitching. M.Rojas sacrificed, catcher Ramos to second baseman McNeil, Granderson to third, Berti to second. Castro flied out to right fielder Conforto. Alfaro was intentionally walked. H.Ramírez hit an infield single to first, Granderson scored, Berti scored, Alfaro to second. Avilán pitching. I.Díaz grounded out, pitcher Avilán to first baseman Alonso.
Runs: 2, Hits: 2

Bottom of 7:
Mets seventh. Kinley pitching. Alonso struck out. Davis doubled to left. Ramos grounded out, third baseman Castro to first baseman Dean. Frazier walked on a full count. B.Moran pitching. Conforto struck out.
Runs: 0, Hits: 1

Top of 8:
Marlins eighth. Díaz pitching. Dean grounded out, third baseman Frazier to first baseman Alonso. Brinson struck out. Prado pinch-hitting for B.Moran. Prado struck out.
Runs: 0, Hits: 0

Bottom of 8:
Mets eighth. Quijada pitching. Lagares struck out. Nimmo pinch-hitting for Díaz. Nimmo walked on a full count. Rosario grounded out, shortstop M.Rojas to first baseman Dean, Nimmo to second. McNeil lined out to center fielder Berti.
Runs: 0, Hits: 0

Top of 9:
Marlins ninth. Sewald pitching. Berti singled to center. M.Rojas popped out to third baseman Frazier. Castro struck out. Alfaro flied out to left fielder Davis.
Runs: 0, Hits: 1

Bottom of 9:
Mets ninth. Stanek pitching. Alonso struck out. Davis singled to right. Ramos grounded out, third baseman Castro to first baseman Dean, Davis to second. Frazier flied out to center fielder Berti.
Runs: 0, Hits: 1

[Drucifer]

Mets Slammed by Marlins, Fall 5G Back of Brewers with 6 Left


by JAKE SEINER

-- The New York Mets have had a funhouse mirror season - always different, depending when and where you look. Division contenders or also-rans? Buyers or sellers? Second-half Cinderellas or too little, too late?

Approaching the end of the ride, New York has no doubts about where it stands now.

"Our backs are against the wall," manager Mickey Callaway said.

Steven Matz allowed two homers to Jorge Alfaro, including a grand slam, and the Mets lost to the Miami Marlins 8-4 Monday night to dim their fading postseason hopes.

Amed Rosario cut into Miami's big lead with his own slam, but the Mets dropped five games behind idle Milwaukee for the final NL playoff spot with six games remaining. They also trail Washington by 5 1/2 games for the top wild card.

Miami piled on when a replay decision led to two runs, and the Mets - despite a surprising surge after the All-Star break - moved to the brink of elimination. New York (81-75) would be locked out of the postseason with a loss Tuesday and victories by Washington and Milwaukee. The Nationals are scheduled for a doubleheader against the Phillies.

"I think this team has performed pretty well when their backs are against the wall," Callaway said. "So, we need to step it up."

Marlins left-hander Caleb Smith (10-10) dodged trouble early, stranding seven over the first four innings. Rosario got to him in the sixth, hitting a two-out slam to cut the deficit to 6-4.

"We thought we could come back at that point," Rosario said via translator. "But we weren't able to complete that."

The Mets left 11 runners on base and ended an eight-game winning streak against Miami at Citi Field dating to last season.

Matz (10-10) followed a seven-run outing at Colorado last week by allowing six runs in five-plus innings in his 100th big league start.

"Tonight was two pitches to Alfaro, in my mind," Callaway said.

The left-hander crouched on the mound and then trudged off after Alfaro's slam in the sixth. Jon Berti, Miguel Rojas and Starlin Castro hit consecutive singles before Alfaro, Miami's cleanup hitter, connected for his first career slam and 17th homer this season.

"That was really a big blow," Matz said. "A terrible pitch."

Alfaro also homered leading off the second and had a career-high five RBIs. Rojas had an RBI single in the third, and Berti posted his first four-hit game.

Alfaro had three hits in his previous 31 plate appearances entering Monday.

"I think he's making strides," manager Don Mattingly said. "He's not chasing as much. Getting the ball in the strike zone, trying to be more consistent with what he's swinging at."

Miami padded its lead in the seventh after a crucial replay challenge. Harold Ramirez hit a two-out, bases-loaded chopper to first baseman Pete Alonso, who flipped to pitcher Brad Brach for what was initially ruled an out. Replays showed Ramirez's toe narrowly beat Brach's foot to the base, and Ramirez was awarded a two-run single for an 8-4 lead.

"I honestly didn't think he'd be that close," Brach said. "I just made sure I caught the ball, because that's the most important thing. Kind of slowed up there for a second to catch it."

After tagging first, Brach spun around to throw home and try to catch Berti, who turned hard around third and scored the second run. Brach held up when first base umpire Jordan Baker called Ramirez out.

"If he's not going full-out from second base on that, they're not going to give him that run," Mattingly said of Berti. "But when you look up, when that play got made at first, he was halfway and moving."

The Mets loaded the bases with two outs in the first inning, but Smith induced an infield fly from Todd Frazier to escape. Frazier popped up again with two outs and two on in the third.

PUNCHING UP

The Mets pitching staff surpassed last year's club for the franchise strikeout record when former closer Edwin Diaz got No. 1,447 in the eighth.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Marlins: 1B/OF Garrett Cooper (left knee contusion) won't play again this season, partly because Mattingly has seen enough from the 28-year-old to ensure he fits into Miami's 2020 plans. ... OF Magneuris Sierra is done for the year with a hamstring strain, but Mattingly is hopeful he'll play winter ball. The speedy 23-year-old batted .350 in 15 games.

Mets: 2B Robinson Cano was not in the lineup a day after taking a pitch off his left big toe, but Callaway said it was a planned day off and he expects Cano to be fine.

UP NEXT

Mets right-hander Noah Syndergaard (10-8, 4.22 ERA) is scheduled for his penultimate start of the season - and possibly with the franchise, given his uneven relationship with the front office. It also will be the second-to-last start for Miami right-hander Sandy Alcantara (5-14, 4.00 ERA) in an encouraging rookie season.

[Drucifer]

https://twitter.com/Mets/status/

Embedded Tweet

[Drucifer]

https://twitter.com/Mets/status/

Embedded Tweet

https://twitter.com/AnthonyDiComo/status/

Embedded Tweet