Field Level Media
Sep 26, 2019
Pinch hitter Curtis Granderson hit a tiebreaking homer in the eighth inning off former teammate Zack Wheeler, and the Miami Marlins rallied for a 4-2 victory over the host New York Mets on Thursday night.
Granderson batted for reliever Jeff Brigham and gave the Marlins a 3-2 lead when he drove a 1-1 slider from Wheeler (11-8) onto a bridge overlooking the bullpens. It was Granderson's eighth career pinch-hit homer and fourth this season.
Granderson, who was a member of the Mets from 2014 to August 2017, homered immediately after Tyler Heineman hit a game-tying, two-run drive by sending Wheeler's 2-2 fastball into the right field seats. It was the catcher's first career homer, and it came in his first career start.
Heineman homered a night after getting his first career hit off Jacob deGrom. His younger brother, Texas Rangers rookie outfielder Scott Heineman, hit his first career homer earlier this month.
Austin Dean added insurance with a homer in the ninth off Edwin Diaz.
The late homers gave Miami (56-103) its 26th road win to surpass last season's total.
Brigham (3-2) kept Miami's deficit at two runs by striking out Pete Alonso with two on to end the seventh. Jose Quijada got the first two outs of the eighth before hitting Robinson Cano. Ryne Stanek took over on the mound, and the inning ended when pinch runner Rajai Davis was caught trying to steal second.
Jose Urena pitched a scoreless ninth and recorded his third save in five chances.
The game was scoreless until Wheeler stroked an RBI single up the middle off Jarlin Garcia with one out in the seventh. The Mets took a 2-0 lead on a sacrifice fly by Brandon Nimmo.
Wheeler matched a season high by pitching eight innings in what might have been his final start for the Mets. A free agent after the season, Wheeler allowed three runs on five hits and no walks while getting 10 strikeouts.
Alonso went 0-for-4 with four strikeouts and remained at 51 homers. He is one shy of the rookie record set in 2017 by New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge.
Miami rookie Jordan Yamamoto allowed one hit in six shutout innings. He set a career best with 10 strikeouts, issued three walks and threw 93 pitches.
The Mets (83-76) lost for the ninth time when leading after the seventh inning.
--Field Level Media