Flushing, NY – Marlon Byrd's two-run single in the ninth inning gave the New York Mets a 4-3 come-from-behind victory over the Miami Marlins in a rubber match on Sunday.
Steve Cishek (0-1) was on the mound in the ninth and got the first out, but then nicked Ruben Tejada with a pitch. Kirk Nieuwenhuis then dropped a single into left field that saw Tejada move to third and Nieuwenhuis take second on Juan Pierre's throw to third.
With the infield in, Byrd ripped a pitch down the third base line and past a diving Chris Valaika, scoring both runners for the victory.
"It feels nice to come through," Byrd said.
Byrd made a winner of Scott Rice (1-0), who got his first career win after pitching a scoreless ninth inning. Aaron Laffey gave up three runs on 10 hits with a walk and five strikeouts over 4 1/3 innings for the Mets, who took the final two of this series after dropping the opener. Daniel Murphy hit a solo home run and Anthony Recker added an RBI.
Jose Fernandez, who won't turn 21 until July 31, became the youngest Marlin to ever start a game. He gave up just one run on three hits with a walk and eight strikeouts over five innings, and was in line for the win until the ninth inning collapse.
"It looked like he had been there before," Pierre said of the rookie. "
Donovan Solano went 3-for-5 with an RBI while Justin Ruggiano and Valaika each added two hits and an RBI for the Marlins, who came into this season having been swept by Washington.
Miami left men in scoring position in the first and second innings, but got on the board in the third after Ruggiano's double scored Greg Dobbs, who reached the previous at-bat with a single.
In the fourth, the Marlins added to their lead as Adeiny Hechavarria walked and scored when Valaika followed with a double. Solano later doubled home Valaika for a 3-0 lead.
After being set down in order through the first three innings, New York left two men on in the fourth before getting on the scoreboard in the fifth.
With one out, Tejada singled and Recker chased him home with a double to make it a 3-1 contest.
Murphy's leadoff home run in the sixth made it a one-run game.
Game Notes
Miami has its home opener on Monday when it starts a three-game set against Atlanta ... The Mets play their first road game of the season on Monday when they begin a three-game series against Philadelphia ... Miami batted just 2- for-14 with runners in scoring position and left 12 men on base.
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