NEW YORK — Connor Norby drove in three crucial runs in the final three innings to lead the Miami Marlins to an 11-8 victory over the New York Mets on Saturday in a game where they squandered an early six-run lead.
The Mets erased an 8-2 deficit, powered by two home runs from Juan Soto. After Francisco Lindor led off the game with a homer, Mark Vientos hit a three-run shot to start the rally. Soto followed with a solo blast before his two-run drive in the sixth inning tied the game at 8-8.
Despite the comeback, New York couldn’t seize the lead. In his second game back from the injured list, Norby delivered a go-ahead sacrifice fly in the seventh inning off Tyler Rogers (4-5). He then added a two-run double in the ninth against Edwin Díaz to provide insurance.
Miami built its initial lead by battering Mets starter David Peterson, who surrendered a career-high eight runs in just over two innings. The Marlins exploded for a five-run first, highlighted by a two-run double from Joey Wiemer and an RBI double from Heriberto Hernández. Wiemer, who finished with three hits, and Jakob Marsee added RBI singles in the third.
Calvin Faucher (4-4) earned the win after getting four key outs in relief. A critical moment came in the seventh when the Mets put the potential go-ahead run on third with no outs, but Faucher escaped the jam unscathed. Tyler Phillips navigated a tense ninth inning, striking out Cedric Mullins with two runners on to secure his third save.
With the loss, the Mets remain five games ahead of Cincinnati for the final National League wild-card spot and fall six games behind Philadelphia in the NL East.
Soto, who reached base in all five of his plate appearances, became the first player in MLB history to hit 35 home runs in three consecutive seasons for three different teams. The Mets’ offense has been prolific in August, setting franchise records for a single month with 176 runs and 53 home runs.
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