Mets rally twice, win in extras, tie SF in WC

NEW YORK — Curtis Granderson became the first Mets player in club history to hit homers that both tied and won the game in extra innings on Saturday night, giving his club a 3-2, 12-inning victory over the Twins at Citi Field in a contest that had playoff implications for New York.

Byron Buxton homered to lead off the top of the 11th against Mets reliever Hansel Robles and Granderson answered in the bottom of the inning off Minnesota’s Brandon Kintzler. Granderson then homered with two outs in the 12th against Ryan O’Rourke, a left-hander who had just come into the game to counter the lefty-swinging Granderson. It was the third walk-off homer of his career.

It was only the second homer O’Rourke has given up to a left-handed hitter in his 49th appearance over two years. Left-handers were previously 0-for-18 against him this year.

“I think it’s the first time I’ve ever done it,” said Granderson, referring to the homers in consecutive extra innings. “Somebody just asked me about it. It’s really cool to have it happen and help us out at this point.”

Yoenis Cespedes tied the game in the eighth inning with an RBI single to center.

Twins starter Ervin Santana pitched seven scoreless innings of four-hit ball but received little run support again. He struck out nine and left with the Twins leading, 1-0.

Both Minnesota runs scored on home runs, with Eddie Rosario hitting his out in the fourth inning off Mets starter Seth Lugo, who pitched five innings, allowing four hits and the single run. The homer into the right-field seats was Rosario’s 10th of the season. Buxton’s homer in the 11th was his seventh.

“You look for the ability to win these close games,” Twins manager Paul Molitor said. “Granderson just had a great night.”

The Mets are now tied with the Giants at 79-69 for the National League’s top Wild Card spot with 14 regular-season games remaining after the Cardinals came from behind …

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