After quick duel, Fish strike in 8th, Mets win in 9th
MIAMI -- On a night that starting pitching stood out, Daniel Murphy struck for the big blow off Marlins closer Steve Cishek. Murphy blasted a three-run homer with one out in the ninth inning to rally the Mets to a 3-1 victory in one hour and 58 minutes, snapping Miami's winning streak at five.
"We're tired," manager Terry Collins said of a Mets team that did not land in Miami until nearly 4 a.m. ET on Monday. "Make no mistake about it, we're stinkin' beat. So when you can have that surge of energy, that's a huge pick-me-up."
The Mets improved to 5-0 this season against the Marlins. Until the late rally, Miami's Jarred Cosart and New York's Dillon Gee stole the show. The Marlins were able to break through with two outs in the eighth inning on Martin Prado's single to right field off Gee.
Video: NYM@MIA: Prado gives Marlins lead with RBI single
"When you get a chance to close it out, that's what the Marlins pay me to do, and I wasn't able to do that for our team, and for our organization and for Cosart," said Cishek, now 1-for-3 in save chances.
Cosart kept the Mets scoreless through eight innings, matching his career high for innings pitched. But in the ninth, Juan Lagares led off with a double and Lucas Duda walked. With one out, Murphy blasted his three-run shot to right.
Video: NYM@MIA: Gee needs only 70 pitches to throw 7 2/3
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Murphy turns the tide: The Mets had a total of two hits entering the ninth inning, but they caught a break when Ozuna misplayed Lagares' leadoff fly ball into a double. Three batters later, Murphy launched his three-run homer to right-center field.
Video: NYM@MIA: Lagares starts the 9th with a double
"We're playing really good baseball right now," Murphy said. "We're winning games. It's allowed me to really take a step back and realize it's not about me. It's about the team." More >
Video: Must C Clutch: Murphy leads Mets with bat and glove
Prado breaks through: Ultra-efficient all night, Gee needed just 59 pitches to complete seven shutout innings. But after retiring the first two batters he faced in the eighth, Gee gave up consecutive singles to pinch-hitter Justin Bour and Dee Gordon. The next batter, Prado, laced an RBI single over a leaping Murphy's head for the game's first run.
Nothin' but a Gee thing: That statistic above is worth mentioning again: Gee needed only 59 pitches to complete seven innings. Though he bemoaned the fact that he was unable to finish eight innings despite his efficiency, Gee still solidified his rotation spot with prospect Rafael Montero on the way up from Triple-A Las Vegas. More >
Cosart on the mark: Cosart has made 44 career starts. Monday was just the third time he's logged as many as eight innings. His other two eight-inning stints were both against the Rays, when the right-hander was with the Astros -- July 12, 2013, and June 20, 2014. More >
Video: NYM@MIA: Cosart shuts down Mets over eight innings
SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS
Gee's outing was his 50th in a row of at least five innings, the longest active streak in the Majors.
With his single in the third inning, Gordon has now hit safely in 17 of the Marlins' first 20 games. The second baseman has made every start.
QUOTABLE
"Gee has pitched great against us. We had it set up perfectly. Prado had that big hit. It looked like we might sneak out of here with a win. They got a break and a couple of big hits, and that's it."-- Marlins manager Mike Redmond
"It was Dan's night. He's Murphalicious. That's what we know he can do." -- Collins on Murphy's homer and strong defensive play in the ninth
Video: NYM@MIA: Murphy spins and throws to retire Morse
Realmuto's quick reflexes
The athleticism of Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto came to the forefront in the sixth inning. Cosart got himself in a bind by walking Curtis Granderson to lead off the inning. Lagares squared to sacrifice, but his bunt fluttered in front of the plate. Realmuto flung off his mask and caught the ball in the process. He was then able to double off Granderson at first base.
Video: NYM@MIA: Realmuto catches bunt, doubles off Grandy
WHAT'S NEXT
Mets: Montero will return from Las Vegas to make a spot start when the Mets meet the Marlins again Tuesday night at 7:10 p.m. ET. Though the Mets are unsure of their plans for Montero after Tuesday's game, a strong showing could help him stick in the rotation.
Marlins: David Phelps makes his third start since filling the rotation spot of Henderson Alvarez (right shoulder inflammation). The right-hander faced the Mets on April 17 at Citi Field, but he was not involved in the decision.
Watch every out-of-market regular season game live on MLB.TV.