Conforto, Frazier rally Mets past Marlins in DH opener
Michael Conforto and Todd Frazier hit back-to-back home runs with two outs in the ninth inning Thursday afternoon as the New York Mets came back to stun the Miami Marlins, 4-3, in the opener of a single-gate doubleheader at Citi Field.
The Mets have won eight of 11. The Marlins have lost 10 of 14.
The Mets were one out away from losing when Michael Conforto homered into the second deck in right field off Kyle Barraclough (0-6). Frazier then went deep on a 1-1 pitch well into the left field seats for his third career walk-off blast.
The rally made a winner out of Jerry Blevins (3-2), who tossed a perfect ninth.
The late comeback spoiled a stellar effort by Marlins rookie Sandy Alcantara, who allowed two runs on two hits and three walks while striking out six over seven innings.
Alcantara, making his third big league start, allowed a leadoff double in the first to Brandon Nimmo and a two-run homer to the opposing pitcher, Steven Matz, in the second. The 23-year-old retired 15 of the final 17 batters he faced following Matz's homer.
Peter O'Brien and Isaac Galloway hit back-to-back homers off Matz in the second -- O'Brien's shot was his first in the majors since Sept. 10, 2016 -- before the Mets' southpaw retired 13 of 14 batters.
Brian Anderson blooped a double down the right field line leading off the seventh against Matz, who exited after retiring Lewis Brinson on a lineout. O'Brien then singled on Drew Smith's first pitch to score Anderson.
Matz gave up the three runs on three hits and two walks while striking out four over 6 1/3 innings. The homer by Matz was the first of his big league career and the first by a Mets pitcher since Seth Lugo went deep on July 15, 2017.
--Field Level Media