Cooper’s 2-run HR in 9th sends Marlins over Mets
MIAMI — Garrett Cooper hit a two-out, two-run homer in the ninth inning Saturday, and the Miami Marlins beat the New York Mets 3-1.
Cooper’s fifth homer of the year came on a 3-2 pitch from Drew Smith (1-1).
Mets center fielder Johneshwy Fargas made a leaping snow-cone catch to rob Jesús Aguilar of an extrabase hit to start the ninth. Brian Anderson singled with two outs and Cooper homered on a 90-mph cutter down the middle.
The Mets’ Dominic Smith tied the game at 1 with a two-out, RBI single in the eighth. Richard Bleier thought he had Smith struck out with the previous pitch and took several steps toward the dugout assuming the inning was over.
Anderson scored the Marlins’ first run from third on a sacrifice fly in the seventh when catcher Tomás Nido dropped the ball making the tag.
Miami’s Pablo López allowed four hits in seven scoreless innings and struck out eight. He has only one victory even though he has held opponents to one run or less in six of his 10 starts and has an ERA of 2.73.
The Marlins desperately needed López to go deep into the game after using 10 pitchers in Friday’s 12-inning loss to the Mets.
Yimi García (2-3) pitched around a leadoff walk to work a scoreless ninth. The injury-plagued Mets totaled five hits and have 13 in 21 innings in the series.
Miami scored in the seventh on consecutive singles by Anderson and Cooper against Sean Reid-Foley, and pinch-hitter Corey Dickerson’s sacrifice fly.
The Marlins have split the first two games of the series even though they’re 3 for 20 with runners in scoring position.
Miami was flummoxed by Mets starter Joey Lucchesi, who came into the game with an ERA of 9.19. He struck out eight and allowed only one hit in four innings, lowering his ERA to 7.32.