Stanton blasts No. 56 as Montero, Mets bashed by Fish

MIAMI — His ride was fun while it lasted, but lately Rafael Montero has pitched like Rafael Montero.

Entrusted with preventing the Mets from getting swept in a three-game series by the Marlins, the right-hander struggled Wednesday and was knocked out after four innings.

The Mets were pummeled 9-2 at Marlins Park to complete a forgettable September road trip in this lost season.

Montero (5-11) has scuffled in three of his last four starts, after an August surge that seemed to put him in contention for a rotation job next season. He allowed five earned runs on seven hits and two walks against the Marlins, and has pitched to a 6.16 ERA in September.

“They weren’t falling for my changeup,” Montero said through an interpreter. “I think they were aware of my changeup early on, because they weren’t biting.”

Justin Bour’s two-run homer in the third helped put the Mets in a 4-0 hole. The blast snapped Montero’s streak of six starts without allowing a homer.

Erick Goeddel allowed three home runs in the eighth, including a two-run shot to Giancarlo Stanton, giving the Marlins slugger 56 homers this season, which leads the major leagues.

Brandon Nimmo hit a solo homer in the seventh inning for the Mets, who went 2-7 against the Cubs, Braves and Marlins on the trip. The Mets will begin their final homestand of the season on Friday against the Nationals.

Amed Rosario returned to the clubhouse, but was inactive for a third straight game because of gastroenteritis. The rookie shortstop, who was admitted to a local hospital earlier in the week, suspects an undercooked meal might have caused the problem. Rosario also had gastroenteritis in late July at Triple-A Las Vegas and was sidelined briefly. Rosario is hoping he can play on Friday.

Phillip Evans went 2-for-4 and has at least one hit in six of 11 games since he was called up Sept. 8. Evans, who is 7-for-21 (.333) since his arrival, has shuffled between second base and third base. He started at second Wednesday.