Chisholm’s homer in 8th lifts Marlins over Mets

MIAMI — Jazz Chisholm Jr. hit a tiebreaking solo homer in the eighth inning and the Miami Marlins beat the New York Mets 3-2 Thursday night.

Javier Baez homered and doubled for the Mets, who began the day four games behind NL East leader Atlanta and 4 from the second wild card.

Chisholm drove a 97 mph fastball from Jeurys Familia (9-4) into the upper deck seats for his 15th homer. Chisholm also had an RBI grounder in the sixth.

With the score 2-all, New York wasted Pete Alonso’s leadoff triple against reliever Anthony Bender in the eighth. Bender retired Javier Baez and J.D. Davis on groundouts with the infield drawn in.

Michael Conforto was intentionally walked before Richard Bleier (3-2) relieved and retired pinch-hitter Jeff McNeil on a grounder.

Dylan Floro pitched a perfect ninth for his ninth save.

The Marlins tied it 2 in the seventh around three infield hits and a throwing error by reliever Brad Hand.

Starter Marcus Stroman was lifted after allowing Sandy Leon’s one-out single and Hand gave up Isan Diaz’s single. Mets catcher James McCann then threw out pinch-runner Alex Jackson at third when a pitch caromed to the backstop, with Diaz advancing to second on the play.

Pinch-hitter Lewis Brinson beat out a dribbler near the mound and Hand’s throw got Alonso at first base, allowing a run to score.

Stroman allowed one run, four hits and struck out seven in 6 innings.

Baez hit a two-out double and scored on two wild pitches from Miami starter Jesus Luzardo to give New York a 1-0 lead in the first.

The Mets increased their advantage on Baez’s 29th homer in the third. He hit Luzardo’s curveball over the wall in center field, admiring the 438-foot shot before he rounded the bases.

Wilfredo Lee / Associated Press The New York Mets’ Javier Baez hits a ground-rule double during the first inning against the Miami Marlins on Thursday.