Mets’ rally falls short against Padres

New York — Hunter Renfroe snapped an eighth-inning tie with a titanic home run, Brad Hand pitched out of a huge jam in the ninth and the San Diego Padres took advantage of a floundering New York Mets bullpen in rallying for a 6-5 victory Wednesday.

New York loaded the bases with nobody out against Hand on two singles and a walk. But the lefthander struck out Curtis Granderson and Rene Rivera on breaking balls before Juan Lagares flied out to end it.

An excited Hand pounded his glove after holding on for his third major league save and first this season.

After trailing by four, the Padres pulled even when Wil Myers rocketed a two-run single off the top of the right-center fence in the seventh. His drive came on the second and final pitch from reliever Neil Ramirez, who entered after Fernando Salas loaded the bases on a single and two walks — all with two outs.

Yangervis Solarte had an RBI single and a two-run double for the Padres (17-31), who won for the second time in eight games. They began the day with the worst record in the majors.

Ryan Buchter (3-2) worked a hitless inning for the win.

Mets rookie Robert Gsellman gave New York six solid innings in his return to the rotation. He was pulled for a pinch hitter with a 5-3 lead after throwing 84 pitches.

The scuffling right-hander had his turn skipped last weekend and had come out of the bullpen in his past two appearances.

Leading off the eighth, Renfroe sent a soaring drive deep into the second deck in left field for his ninth home run. He connected on a 3-1 fastball from Josh Smoker (0-2), who was recalled from the minors Tuesday.

Wilmer Flores hit a three-run double in the third for the Mets, and Granderson followed with an RBI single. Michael Conforto added an RBI single in the fourth.