San Juan, PR (Sports Network) – Pinch-hitter Josh Thole singled in the go- ahead run in the sixth inning, and the New York Mets downed the mistake-prone Florida Marlins, 6-5, to avert a three-game sweep at Hiram Bithorn Stadium.
David Wright stroked a two-run double for the Mets, who gave up 17 runs in the first two games of the series.
“We needed a win,” Mets manager Jerry Manuel said. “That’s why we kind of took the chances that we did.”
Mets starter Mike Pelfrey, who came in 1-6 lifetime against the Marlins, departed after giving up 12 hits and four runs in 4 2/3 innings. Elmer Dessens (2-1) entered the game with runners at the corners, but retired pinch-hitter Mike Lamb on a ground ball to end the fifth and earned the win.
The Marlins had runners at first and third with two outs in the ninth, but Francisco Rodriguez struck out pinch-hitter Brian Barden and logged his 18th save.
Chris Volstad was charged with six hits and four runs — three earned — over five innings for the Marlins, who committed four errors and lost for the fifth time in seven games.
Florida had 17 hits, but left 13 men on base.
The Mets were helped by two Florida errors in the sixth inning. Jason Bay reached first on a miscue from third baseman Jorge Cantu. Chris Carter then singled off Alejandro Sanabia (0-1), and one out later the bases were full after an error from Uggla. Thole singled to left field for a 5-4 New York edge.
Jason Bay singled in Wright in the next inning, but Chris Coghlan scored on a Gaby Sanchez double in the bottom of the eighth. Florida put two men on base with two outs, but Rodriguez came in from the bullpen and got pinch-hitter Wes Helms to fly out to center field.
Singles from Cody Ross and Ronny Paulino with one out in the ninth gave Florida life, but Mike Stanton grounded into a fielder’s choice. Rodriguez then closed it out by getting Barden to swing through a borderline outside pitch.
Paulino had three hits, while Dan Uggla knocked in two runs for the Marlins.
Wright hit a two-run double in the opening inning and scored on Ike Davis’ base hit for a 3-0 lead.
Hanley Ramirez and Uggla each had an RBI single in the bottom of the first, but Jesus Feliciano’s base hit plated Alex Cora in the top of the second.
Cantu doubled in a run and scored on Uggla’s single in the fifth to tie the contest, 4-4.
This was the first four-error game for the Marlins since April 19, 2008 against Washington…The start of the game was delayed 1 hour, 25 minutes by rain…The Mets went 5-for-18 with men in scoring position…The top four players in Florida’s lineup – Coghlan, Sanchez, Ramirez and Cantu – combined to go 8-for-17…Mets shortstop Jose Reyes left the field during pre-game warm-ups with a stiff lower back and was scratched from the starting lineup.