Clutch Cuddyer helps Mets edge Red Sox
NEW YORK -- Their brief stumble earlier this weekend squarely in the past, the Mets resumed their march toward a playoff bid with a 5-4 win Sunday over the Red Sox at Citi Field. Michael Cuddyer drove in the go-ahead run in the seventh for a Mets team that took the final game of the three-game series after dropping the first two.
"This was a big game for us," Mets manager Terry Collins said. "We've been flat the last couple nights. To come out today and get tremendous crowd support again, fan support, it was a good win for us."
David Ortiz moved into 27th place all time with his 494th career homer, temporarily spoiling Noah Syndergaard's day on the mound. But the Mets also rapped out four runs against Red Sox starter Wade Miley, including two on a Juan Uribe double in the sixth.
Video: BOS@NYM: Uribe knocks a go-ahead two-run double
Tyler Clippard recorded four outs for the win, while Jeurys Familia remained unscored upon in August while nailing down his 35th save.
"Unfortunately, we didn't win today, but the way we came back, the resiliency we showed, our ability to execute when we needed to, grind down some really good starting pitching, I was really pleased what I saw these three days and this entire road trip actually," Red Sox interim manager Torey Lovullo said.
• Miley goes behind the back to snare ground ball
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Cuddyer's redemption: Half an inning after misplaying Mookie Betts' game-tying hit into an RBI triple, Cuddyer put the Mets ahead for good with an RBI single off Heath Hembree in the seventh, moments after Daniel Murphy swiped second base to move into scoring position with two outs. Cuddyer finished 3-for-3 with a walk, two runs scored and an RBI.
Video: BOS@NYM: Murphy swipes second base with two outs
"He's an outstanding player and he's a pro, and that's why we got him," Collins said. "We brought him in here to be that kind of a player. He plays the game the way it's supposed to be played."
Papi six away from 500: Ortiz roped a towering two-run shot deep into the seats in right in the sixth to give the Red Sox a 2-1 lead. The blast put Ortiz six away from 500, moving him past Lou Gehrig and Fred McGriff. The next slugger Ortiz can pass is Hall of Famer Eddie Murray, who hit 504 career homers. According to Statcast™, Ortiz's blast had an exit velocity of 109 mph and a projected distance of 391.29 feet at a height of 58 feet, with a hang time of 4.39 seconds. More >
Video: BOS@NYM: Statcast™ measures Ortiz's rocket home run
"I'm getting old, man," said Ortiz. "I heard about Lou Gehrig when I was a kid. Now, being part of the game, your name right next to historical people like that, it's great, it's an honor."
Perfect in August: Nursing a one-run lead in the ninth, Familia gave up consecutive singles before dialing his fastball up to 100 mph to slam the door on the Red Sox. He is 8-for-8 in August save opportunities and has not allowed a run this month. More >
Video: BOS@NYM: Familia fans Betts to lock down the save
Killer B's strike in 7th: Down 4-2 after six, the Red Sox got two big hits in the top of the seventh. Jackie Bradley Jr. came off the bench to deliver an RBI double to put Boston within one. Betts dropped a triple into no-man's land in left field to tie it.
Video: BOS@NYM: Bradley Jr. hits ground-rule double to right
"[Bradley] is locked in," Lovullo said. "I explained to him, I said, 'Listen, it's a different game. You'll probably get one at-bat today, maybe a potential double-switch but one at-bat. Just make sure you're ready for it.' And he did a good job executing."
QUOTABLE
"I know they're a little bit down right now, but we'll get over that and be ready for tomorrow. I just think the New York Mets know that a good baseball team walked in here for three days, and that's what I'm really pleased with."
-- Lovullo, on the improved play of the Red Sox
Video: BOS@NYM: Miley makes incredible behind-the-back snag
SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS
The Mets' win was their 19th of August, the first time they've hit that mark since going 19-9 in August 2006 -- which just so happened to be the last year they made the playoffs. They're 19-8 this August with one game to go.
• Mets have logjam for potential playoff rotation
LONG EJECTED
Curtis Granderson was visibly upset with home-plate umpire Joe West's early zone, striking out looking twice in the game's first three innings. Following the second of those called strike threes, hitting coach Kevin Long began chirping from the dugout. West promptly ejected him.
Video: BOS@NYM: Long gets ejected after Granderson's at-bat
"I'm certainly not going to question Joe West," Collins said. "But if you get in an argument with Curtis Granderson, you need to take a look at some things. This guy doesn't get mad at anyone. I'll leave it at that."
WHAT'S NEXT
Red Sox: Lefty Eduardo Rodriguez, fresh from seven days of rest, opens a three-game series against the Yankees on Monday. The first pitch at Fenway Park is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET. Rodriguez pitched well in his last start, giving up two earned runs over six innings against the Royals.
Mets: Bartolo Colon, who made a cameo over the weekend with an inning out of the bullpen, will kick off the Mets' three-game series against the Phillies in a 7:10 p.m. ET game on Monday at Citi Field. The Mets swept a four-game series last week in Philadelphia.
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