NEW YORK (AP) — Christian Yelich showed off his bat, legs and glove, capped by hitting a three-run homer that helped the Miami Marlins beat shaky Jacob deGrom and the New York Mets 6-4 on Thursday night to end their season-worst five-game losing streak.
Yelich homered and singled twice, drove in four runs and stole two bases. He also made a dashing, diving catch in center field with the bases loaded and two outs — that made up for him later dropping a routine fly for an error.
Jose Urena (3-5) outpitched deGrom (7-8) as Miami averted a four-game sweep. Down 6-1, the Mets made it close, boosted by pinch-hitter Asdrubal Cabrera’s two-run homer in the ninth off Fernando Rodney.
The Mets fell two games behind idle St. Louis for the second wild-card spot, with the Marlins another game back. Earlier in the day, New York second baseman Neil Walker said he needed season-ending surgery for a herniated disk.
DeGrom got seven days between starts because the Mets worried he was fatigued, but he still struggled. The shaggy-haired ace then waved for the trainer as he headed down the dugout tunnel toward the clubhouse when he was done.
DeGrom gave up three runs, six hits and four walks in five innings. He has lost three straight starts, tagged for a total of 16 runs, 31 hits and six walks in just 14 2/3 innings.
Urena allowed four hits, including Jay Bruce’s 29th homer, and one run in six innings.
Bruce hit an RBI single in the eighth and the Mets loaded the bases with no outs. But Michael Conforto grounded into a double play and pinch-hitter Yoenis Cespedes struck out.
It was scoreless in the second when the Mets loaded the bases with two outs. DeGrom hit a liner up the middle that Yelich, playing shallow for the pitch, rushed in to grab off the grass.
Yelich hit a three-run drive for his 18th homer in the seventh. The Marlins had scored only eight runs combined in their five straight losses. They have played 24 consecutive games decided by no more than three runs.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Marlins: All-Star OF Marcell Ozuna was out of the lineup, a day after hurting his left wrist trying to make a diving catch and leaving the game. He’s getting treatment and could play this weekend at Cleveland. … 1B Justin Bour (sprained right ankle) is set to face LHP Wei-Yin Chen (elbow sprain) in a simulated game
Friday at the Marlins’ spring complex in Jupiter, Florida.
Mets: Cespedes and Cabrera didn’t start after it rained most of the afternoon. They have been banged up lately and “I don’t need them slipping on the turf,” manager Terry Collins said.
UP NEXT
Marlins: RHP Andrew Cashner (4-10, 4.73) is 0-3 in five starts since Miami got him in a trade with San Diego. He’ll pitch Friday night at AL Central-leading Cleveland against Carlos Carrasco (9-7, 3.23).
Mets: RHP Noah Syndergaard (12-7, 2.56) is 3-0 with a 1.31 ERA in his last three starts going into Friday night’s opener of a three-game series against NL East-leading Washington. A.J. Cole (0-1, 4.97) pitches for the Nationals.
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