Behind Matsuzaka, Mets split DH with Marlins
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Daniel Murphy and Lucas Duda hit back-to-back homers in the third inning, Daisuke Matsuzaka tossed seven solid innings and the New York Mets held off the Miami Marlins, 3-1, to split Saturday's doubleheader.
In the first game, Henderson Alvarez pitched seven scoreless innings and the Marlins shut out the Mets, 3-0.
Wilmer Flores added an RBI for the Mets while Matsuzaka (1-3) allowed one run on two hits to pick up his first win since Aug. 27, 2012.
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"He's pitching ahead and making them hit his pitch," Mets manager Terry Collins said of Matsuzaka.
Justin Ruggiano hit a solo homer for the Marlins, who saw starter Jacob Turner (3-7) give up three runs on five hits over five innings.
"I'm going to take the positives and keep working," said Turner.
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The Mets jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning. Murphy hit a two-out single to right-center field, stole second and raced home on Flores' single to left.
Murphy and Duda homered in the third to make it a 3-0 game.
Miami's first hit of the contest came with one out in the fourth, when Ruggiano cleared the left-field wall.
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The Marlins left men on first and third in the seventh. Placido Polanco was hit by a pitch for the second time in the game and Adeiny Hechavarria hit a two-out single. Rob Brantly, though, struck out looking to end the inning.
Pedro Feliciano and Vic Black combined to pitch a scoreless eighth. LaTroy Hawkins worked around a leadoff single in the ninth to record his 10th save of the season.
Game Notes
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The Marlins lead the season series 11-7 ... Miami went 0-for-3 with runners in scoring position and stranded six, while New York went 1-for-6 with RISP and left seven men on.