Marlins’ Big Inning Hurts Mets’ Playoff Hopes In 6-2 Loss

The Mets will need help to make the playoffs.

The Miami Marlins scored six runs in the fifth inning Friday, knocking out Brandon Sproat and teeing off on Gregory Soto, for a 6-2 win in the opener of a series that will decide if New York makes the postseason.

Sproat was sharp through four innings, allowing no runs on one hit, but gave up a pair of singles and a Heriberto Hernández game-tying, two-run triple to start the fifth. Jakob Marsee broke the tie with a groundout, and after Agustín Ramírez singled, Carlos Mendoza had seen enough.

Sproat, the third rookie to start for the Mets in three days, gave up four runs on five hits, walked one, struck out two and hit two batters over 4 1/3 innings in his fourth major-league start.

Soto came on to turn around switch-hitting Xavier Edwards, who entered Friday with a .562 OPS vs. lefties (.748 vs. righties). But before he dealt with Edwards, Ramírez took off. He stole second when he got a huge jump as Soto paid him little mind. He stole third when Soto did notice him before he went home and stepped off, but Ronny Mauricio failed to cover the base in time so Soto didn’t make a throw.

Edwards then spoiled Mendoza’s move, singling in a run to make it 4-2 Marlins. Pinch-hitter Connor Norby followed with a 422-foot homer that made it 6-2. Norby entered Friday hitting .155/.268/.214 with one homer in 84 at-bats vs. lefties. The crowd, overrun by New York fans, booed when Soto retired the side.

The Mets had a chance to get back in the game in the eighth, but Pete Alonso struck out with two on and one out and pinch-hitter Mark Vientos popped out with the bases loaded and two outs. The Mets went 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position.

Francisco Lindor hit the second pitch of the game for his 11th leadoff homer of the year and 31st overall. Juan Soto followed with a single, stole second and scored when Alonso drove in his 124th run with his 40th double. (The franchise record for doubles is 44 by Bernard Gilkey in 1996.)

The Mets entered the season’s final weekend facing the nothing-to-play-for Marlins, a scenario that ended poorly in 2007 and 2008. While the season-ending defeats are burned in many Mets fans’ minds from those years, there were also Friday night losses that set the stage for Sunday’s eliminations.

The Cincinnati Reds, whose game is in progress, now trail the Mets by a half-game for the final playoff spot. The Arizona Diamondbacks are behind by 1 1/2 games. Both the Reds and D-backs own the tiebreakers over the Mets.

Brett Baty left the game with right side soreness in the second inning. He grimaced after swinging in the first inning and then again after making a throw in the bottom of the first. Mauricio replaced him at third.

Mendoza told reporters after the game that it is an oblique injury for Baty, and it’s possible he’ll miss the rest of the season. He’s set to undergo further evaluation.

Stats of the Game

The Mets have made 38 quality starts (at least six innings, three earned runs or fewer) this season, which is 28th in MLB. Only the Marlins and Rockies have made fewer. The Phillies lead the majors with 83.

Player of the Game

It’s typically a good sign when Lindor homers. He entered Friday hitting .334/.402/.602 with 22 homers in wins and .193/.278/.311 with eight homers in losses. He has homered in four of his last five games.

On Deck

Clay Holmes (11-8, 3.66 ERA) faces right-hander Eury Pérez (7-5, 4.20 ERA) at 4:10 p.m. ET. Soto and Brandon Nimmo homered off Pérez when the Mets knocked him out in the first inning last month when he pitched against Jonah Tong in his debut. The game will air on SNY and MLB Network.

Elsewhere, Reds LHP Andrew Abbott (9-7, 2.80 ERA) will pitch against the Brewers (starter TBD) at 7:15 p.m on FOX. In San Diego, Arizona lefty Eduardo Rodriguez (9-8, 4.91 ERA) faces RHP Michael King (5-3, 3.57 ERA) at 8:40 p.m. ET.

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