Mets rally late to clinch series over Marlins

MIAMI — A late scratch on Saturday afternoon removed Yoenis Cespedes from the lineup, and his replacements were able to pick up the slack. Juan Lagares made a runs-saving catch on Ichiro Suzuki in the sixth inning. And in the eighth inning, Matt Reynolds, who pinch-hit for Lagares, laced an RBI single that rallied New York to a 6-4 win over Miami at Marlins Park.

The Mets scratched out two runs in the eighth off David Phelps, who since May 9 had given up just two runs in his last 11 2/3 innings with 17 strikeouts. But James Loney, who belted a two-run homer to help lift his team on Friday, responded with a leadoff double. Michael Conforto snapped an 0-for-20 slide with an RBI single, tying the score. Alejandro De Aza’s bases-loaded, two-out double in the ninth off Cody Hall padded New York’s lead.

The Marlins, now three games behind New York for second place in the National League East, claimed a 3-2 advantage in the sixth inning on Miguel Rojas’ two-out RBI double. But a chance for Miami to add on slipped away when Lagares made a diving catch on Ichiro’s sinking liner in left-center with two on.

Miami took an early two-run lead off Bartolo Colon, who worked five innings and collected a hit at the plate. Martin Prado’s first homer of the season put the Marlins on the board in the first. The Mets put the leadoff man on in each of the first six innings against Marlins lefty Justin Nicolino. New York knotted the score at 2 in the sixth on Conforto’s sacrifice fly.

MOMENTS THAT MATTEREDSuper sub: A quick glance down the Mets’ bench revealed …

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