MIAMI (AP) — Brandon Nimmo hit a home run, double and single, Mark Vientos had his first career multi-homer game and the New York Mets beat the Miami Marlins 8-3 on Wednesday night.
Kodai Senga threw six innings of two-run ball while Brett Baty also went deep for the Mets, who clinched the three-game series against the playoff-contending Marlins. Miami began Wednesday one half game from the third NL wild card spot.
Senga (12-7) gave up seven hits, struck out three and walked two. The rookie from Japan has allowed two runs or less in his last eight starts.
Marlins infielder Luis Arraez missed his second straight game because of a left ankle sprain. Arraez, who leads the major leagues with a .354 batting average, stepped on a baseball during pre-game infield drills on Tuesday.
Vientos gave New York an early lead with his solo shot in the second, driving a slider from Marlins starter Eury Pérez (5-6) over the wall in left.
Nimmo scored from first on Ronny Mauricio’s single and two Miami throwing errors for a 2-0 lead in the third. Jesús Sánchez’s throw from right-field got past third baseman Jake Burger. Burger retrieved the ball then threw errantly to home plate. Mauricio reached third and raced home on Pete Alonso’s sacrifice fly.
Burger exited because of right quad tightness while chasing Sánchez’s errant throw.
Vientos connected with his second solo shot off reliever George Soriano in the sixth.
Josh Bell hit a solo homer for Miami in the sixth.
Baty and Nimmo hit solo blasts against off Johnny Cueto in the eighth and ninth.
Pérez’s outing ended after three innings. The 20-year-old rookie gave up three runs, three hits, walked three and struck out three. He remains winless in eight starts since his second call-up from the minors Aug. 7.
QUICK WORK
Senga faced the minimum in the fifth around two hits aided by two outfield assists from Jeff McNeil. Jorge Soler singled and raced to third on Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s single to right. Chisholm attempted to extend it into a double but McNeil initiated a relay throw that cut him down at second. McNeil caught Xavier Edwards’ fly ball to short right and threw Soler out at home.
ROSTER MOVE
The Marlins activated veteran left-handed reliever Matt Moore and designated right-hander pitcher Chi Chi González for assignment. Moore was claimed off waivers from Cleveland on Tuesday.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Marlins: C Nick Fortes has responded well to treatment after getting hit by a pitch on his right hand in the ninth inning Tuesday.
UP NEXT
Mets: LHP David Peterson (3-8, 5.22) will start the opener of a four-game series at Philadelphia on Thursday. LHP Ranger Suárez (3-6, 3.80) starts for the Phillies.
Marlins: Have not announced a starter for the opener of a three-game home set against Milwaukee on Friday. The Brewers will go with RHP Corbin Burnes (9-8, 3.56).
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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
