Mets' Lindor homers after surprise visit from mom
NEW YORK — Francisco Lindor homered after being surprised by his mom's first visit to see him at Citi Field, Pete Alonso slugged a grand slam during an eventful sixth inning and the New York Mets beat the Miami Marlins 10-4 Friday night.
Lindor's wife, Katia, surprised her husband by flying in his mother, Maria Serrano, for her first visit to New York since Lindor was acquired from Cleveland in January 2021. Lindor met with his mother in the press conference room a few hours before first pitch.
Lindor pointed to his family in the suites after hitting a three-run homer in the first inning off Pablo López (4-3).
The Puerto Rican star was later hit by two pitches — including one with the bases loaded. The oft-plunked Mets were stuck four times, pushing their major league-leading total to 49.
Carlos Carrasco (8-2) allowed three runs on eight hits with two walks and seven strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings.
Lindor entered the game hitting .173 in June but homered onto the black beyond center field on an 0-1 pitch from López. The 28-year-old pumped his fists between first and second base.
Lindor drew a bases-loaded hit by pitch in the sixth, one pitch before Alonso hit his second career grand slam to cap a seven-run frame in which the Marlins had a potential triple play overturned.
Earlier in the sixth, J.D. Davis had an RBI single and Starling Marte coaxed a bases-loaded walk.
Center fielder Bryan De La Cruz, who dropped a routine fly by Marte immediately before Lindor's homer, led off the fifth by homering off Carrasco. Jorge Soler delivered an RBI double in the sixth, when Jon Berti hit into a run-scoring fielder's choice. Lewin Díaz scored on a balk in the eighth.
Soler, Cooper and Avisaíl García had two hits apiece for the Marlins, who outhit the Mets 10-9.
López, pitching for the first time since he was hit on the right wrist by Michael Brantley's comebacker June 10, gave up seven runs (six earned) on eight hits with one walk and five strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings.
ALMOST TWICE (OR THRICE) AS NICE
De La Cruz came within inches of a spectacular catch that would have resulted in at least a double play — and potentially a triple play — in the sixth.
With two out, he tracked Luis Guillorme's fly to the warning track, collided with the wall and barehanded the ball after several bobbles for an apparent catch. He then threw to the infield, where Mark Canha and Jeff McNeil were doubled off for a triple play.
Replays showed the ball hit the wall before De La Cruz caught it. The out call was overturned and Guillorme was awarded a single.
CAN'T CATCH JON
Berti improved to 15 for 15 stealing bases this season by swiping second in the sixth. He's tied with Cliff Floyd and Chuck Carr for the fourth-longest streak of consecutive stolen bases in franchise history. Emilio Bonifacio (2012) stole 20 consecutive bases without being nabbed.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Marlins: 1B Jesús Aguilar and OF Jesús Sanchez were each placed on the injured list without a designation. The Marlins recalled Díaz and OF Jerar Encarnacion from Triple-A Jacksonville. ... IFs Brian Anderson (back) and Joey Wendle (right hamstring) are scheduled to take batting practice at the Marlins' spring training complex Saturday. ... RHP Cody Poteet (right elbow) is scheduled to begin a throwing program this weekend.
Mets: RHP Tylor Megill (right shoulder) was shut down for four weeks after an MRI revealed a strain. Megill was injured Thursday in his second start since returning from an IL stint due to right biceps tendinitis. ... 3B Eduardo Escobar (undisclosed) was available off the bench after missing Thursday's game while undergoing tests at a local hospital. Manager Buck Showalter said he hoped Escobar could return to the lineup Saturday. ... RHP Jacob deGrom (right scapula) threw his fifth bullpen session Friday.
UP NEXT
Marlins: LHP Braxton Garrett (1-1, 4.00 ERA) will make his third start since being promoted from Triple-A Jacksonville on June 5.
Mets: RHP Taijuan Walker (4-2, 3.08 ERA) struck out a season-high 10 batters in a win over the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday — his most strikeouts since he whiffed 12 against the Chicago Cubs on June 15, 2021.
