Small ball powers N.Y.

NEW YORK — Todd Frazier is known for longballs more than small ball. Yet without even taking a full swing, he swung things in the New York Mets’ favor.

Frazier cleverly came up with a push bunt and the Mets took off from there, beating the Detroit Tigers 4-3 Sunday for their sixth win in seven games.

“Perfect opportunity,” Frazier said.

Down 3-0, the Mets put runners at the corners with one out in the fourth inning for Frazier. Instantly, he saw the Tigers shift and leave the right side of the infield virtually vacant.

The longtime pro took advantage, pushing a sharp bunt that easily rolled into right field for an RBI single.

“I think it sparked us,” Frazier said, adding, “I looked into the dugout, everyone was fired up.”

A former All-Star Home Run Derby champ, Frazier has four sacrifice bunts in nine seasons as a bigleaguer, but none since 2016.

So how long had he been waiting to pull off this kind of play?

“My whole life, to be honest with you. My whole career,” he said.

One out later, Adeiny Hechavarria hit a threerun homer for a 4-3 lead.

Zack Wheeler pitched into the eighth inning as the Mets reached the .500 mark — they trailed in all but one of these recent victories.

Nicholas Castellanos homered and drove in three runs for the Tigers, who have lost 11 of 12.

Edwin Diaz escaped his own jam in the ninth, striking out John Hicks with runners at first and third, then fanning JaCoby Jones with runners at second and third for his 13th save in 14 chances. Jones hopped up and shouted at plate umpire Jerry Meals after being called out on a 3-2 pitch that appeared a touch outside.