Flushing, NY (Sports Network) – Jon Niese returned from the disabled list to toss seven strong innings while Ike Davis went 4-for-4 with an RBI and three runs scored as the New York Mets downed the Florida Marlins, 6-1, in the second of a three-game set at Citi Field.
Niese (2-2), who had been on the DL since May 17 with a mild right hamstring strain, gave up just one run on six hits with a walk and six strikeouts for the Mets, who have won three of their last four. David Wright went 2-for-3 with a two-run homer, three RBI and two runs scored.
Ronny Paulino had two hits and drove in the lone run for the Marlins, who have dropped three of their past four. Nate Robertson (4-5) was tagged with the loss as he was roughed up for six runs on seven hits with a walk and five strikeouts over 4 2/3 innings.
The Mets jumped on top in the second inning with a pair of runs. Davis led off with a double and Wright walked. After Rod Barajas flied out, Jeff Francoeur singled to left to score Davis and Ruben Tejada followed with a double for a 2-0 lead.
In the third, New York made it a 5-0 game as Davis’ single plated Angel Pagan, and Wright followed with a shot over the wall in left, his 10th homer of the season.
Wright’s RBI single off Brian Sanches in the fifth plated Davis, whose two-out double chased Robertson, for a 6-0 advantage.
Niese was cruising through his start but faced a bit of adversity in the sixth as Chris Coghlan drilled a double off the wall in left with one out. However, Niese struck out Gaby Sanchez and got Hanley Ramirez to ground out and end the threat.
Florida finally broke through in the seventh. With one out, Dan Uggla doubled and moved to third on a wild pitch. After Cody Ross walked, Paulino punched a single to center to make it a 6-1 game. Niese, though, limited the damage as he struck out Cameron Maybin and got pinch-hitter Wes Helms to hit into a groundout to end the inning.
Jenrry Mejia tossed a perfect eighth while Fernando Nieve worked around a leadoff single by Jorge Cantu in the ninth to close the game.
Florida has taken six of the nine games against the Mets this season…New York has won seven straight at home…Francoeur has a nine-game hitting streak…Hisanori Takahashi takes the mound for New York in Sunday’s series finale while Ricky Nolasco will twirl the ball for Florida.