Riddle's Homer In 9th Lifts Marlins Over Mets
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MIAMI (AP) — Rookie J.T. Riddle launched a two-run homer with two outs in the ninth inning and the Miami Marlins, after coming close to holding the Mets hitless helped by left fielder Marcell Ozuna's acrobatic catch, beat New York 4-2 Sunday.
Ozuna raced back, hung on to the top of the wall, and caught Wilmer Flores' drive in the fifth. Flores slammed his batting helmet into his leg while Ozuna flashed a big smile.
Marlins starter Dan Straily and three relievers didn't allow a hit until Neil Walker singled with two outs in the eighth. Miami won the final three of a four-game series.
The Mets made it 2-all in the ninth on pinch hitter Asdrubal Cabrera's two-out, two-run single off David Phelps (2-1).
Ozuna led off the bottom of the ninth with a single against Addison Reed (0-1). Miguel Rojas doubled with one out, and a perfect relay from left fielder Yoenis Cespedes to Cabrera to the plate nailed Ozuna.
Riddle, whose only previous hit in the majors with a little infielder dribbler on Wednesday, sent a drive over the wall in right-center.
Straily, who entered with a 7.56 ERA in his first two starts, tossed 5 1-3 no-hit innings before being lifted after issuing a pair of walks. He walked five and threw 93 pitches.
Marlins reliever Jarlin Garcia got the final two outs of the sixth. Kyle Barraclough pitched a hitless seventh before turning it over to Brad Ziegler, who gave up Walker's hit.
Christian Yelich and Ozuna drove in runs to put Miami ahead 2-0. The Marlins nearly had another run, but Justin Bour missed the plate on a slide.
Mets starter Matt Harvey allowed one earned run in six innings.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Marlins: 3B Martin Prado (right hamstring) is expected to rejoin the team on Monday after completing a rehab assignment with Single-A Jupiter. "I'm feeling ready to go," Prado said. "It's been a fun four days getting back to my routine and I've been able to play defense and offense and not worry about running the bases. I think I'm close as I can be to play at this level now." ... C J.T. Realmuto returned to the lineup after battling an illness shortly after delivering a walk-off RBI double on Friday.
UP NEXT
Mets: Begin a nine-game homestand on Tuesday against Philadelphia with RHP Zack Wheeler (1-1, 7.45 ERA) on the mound. Wheeler is 3-1 with a 3.25 ERA in six starts against the Phillies.
Marlins: Open a three-game series at Seattle on Monday. RHP Tom Koehler (0-0, 3.27) will start for Miami while the Mariners will counter with LHP Ariel Miranda (0-1, 5.06). Miami's Ichiro Suzuki returns to Seattle where he was a 10-time All-Star in 12 seasons.
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