Mets mash Marlins in final home game of 2021

In their final home game of the 2021 season, the Mets topped the Marlins 12-3 in a sloppy game, and sent the Flushing faithful home happy one final time this year.

Making his last start of the season, and most likely his last start as a Met and potentially his career, Rich Hill pitched five innings, striking out six batters, and allowing three runs. Hill’s performance on the night earned him his first win as a Met, which he said meant a lot to him.

At the plate, the Mets got on the board in the second inning thanks to a Pete Alonso solo home run, his 36th of the season, and his 90th RBI of the season. However, in the top of the third, the Marlins struck right back and took the lead on a towering two-run homer from Lewis Brinson, making it 2-1 Marlins.

To continue the back and forth, the Mets tied the game at two in the bottom of the third, when Michael Conforto singled off Marlins’ starter Edward Cabrera. In the top of the fourth, the Marlins scored their final run of the game on a rather ugly play. Magneuris Sierra singled to right field, and Eddy Alvarez went first to third. Conforto attempted to throw Alvarez out at third, but instead the ball got away from third baseman Jonathan Villar, allowing Alvare to score.

After the Marlins retook the lead in the fourth, the Mets once again struck back, and took the lead for good. Pitching in relief of Edward Cabrera, Sean Guenther hit Javy Báez and Jeff McNeil to start the inning, giving way for Jonathan Villar to single home Báez and tie the game at three. Next it was James McCann’s chance to get in on the action, as he ripped a double to left field, scoring McNeil and Villar, and giving the Mets the 5-3 lead. Michael Conforto then drove in his second run of the night, plating James McCann and making it 6-3. Pete Alonso then came to bat with two runners on, and had a chance at his second homer of the night, but was robbed by Magneuris Sierra on an excellent defensive play to end the inning.

Rich Hill then came back out for a shutdown fifth inning, and the Mets’ bullpen was able to mow down the Marlins’ lineup to finish the game. Things got ugly for the Marlins in the bottom of the eighth inning, as reliever Luis Madero grew tired, loading the bases as Francisco Lindor came to the plate. Lindor attacked Madero, hitting a grand slam over the right field fence, blowing the game open and putting the Mets in front 10-3. Catcher Sandy Leon then came in to pitch for the Marlins, and Pete Alonso got a hold of a meatball from Leon, hitting a two-run homer, his second of the night and his 37th on the season to put the Mets in front 12-3.

The top of the ninth featured highlight plays by Michael Conforto and Heath Hembree. In what may be Conforto’s final game at Citi Field as a Met, he made a diving shoestring catch for the second out in the inning, which led to a standing ovation from Mets fans. Conforto, visibily emotional, tipped his cap in response. To close out the game, Hembree snagged a lineout in self-defense that was coming straight for his face to put it in the books for the Mets.

The victory for the Mets puts their final record at home for the 2021 season at 47-34. They will now head to Atlanta to face the NL East champion Braves to close out the season.

Box scores

ESPN

MLB

-illar of the day

Jonathan Villar scored two runs while driving in one. Kevin Pillar did not appear in the game. Advantage: Villar

Win Probability Added

Fangraphs.com

What’s WPA?

Big Mets winner: Michael Conforto, +20% WPA
Big Mets loser: Rich Hill, -17% WPA
Mets pitchers: -4% WPA
Mets hitters: +54% WPA
Teh aw3s0mest play: Jonathan Villar’s RBI single in the fourth inning, +19.2% WPA
Teh sux0rest play: Lewis Brinson’s two-run homer in the third inning, +24.2% WPA

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