A back-and-forth battle finally ended with one swing Friday night as the New York Mets defeated the Miami Marlins 9-7 in 10 innings at Citi Field. MJ Melendez delivered a walk-off two-run home run to cap the victory for New York (24-33), while Miami fell to 26-32.
The Mets came out aggressively against Max Meyer, scoring four runs in the first inning after managing just two total runs during their previous series in Miami. A.J. Ewing sparked the rally with a two-run single before Brett Baty followed with a two-out, two-run hit to right field.
New York continued to answer every Marlins push. Mark Vientos launched a towering solo home run in the third inning, and the Mets added another run in the fourth with help from a pair of Miami errors. Freddy Peralta worked through 4.2 innings, allowing four runs, two earned, while striking out five.
After Miami chipped away and eventually tied the game, Melendez made his presence felt long before his game-winning blast. Entering as a pinch hitter in the seventh inning, he lifted a sacrifice fly to restore a one-run lead and finished with three RBIs.
The Marlins erased a 7-5 deficit in the eighth when Owen Caissie connected for a game-tying two-run homer off Tobias Myers. Luke Weaver kept the game even with a scoreless ninth, and Austin Warren stranded the automatic runner in the 10th to set the stage for the finish.
Melendez ended it moments later, driving a two-run shot into the seats to give the Mets their second walk-off victory of the season.
The series continues Saturday at Citi Field with first pitch scheduled for 4:10 p.m. Christian Scott (0-0, 3.20 ERA) is slated to start for New York against Miami right-hander Tyler Phillips (0-0, 1.07 ERA).
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to kyle@fingerlakes1.com.