Cishek Serves Up 3-Run Homer To Murphy, Mets Beat Marlins 3-1
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MIAMI (CBSMiami/AP) – Marlins closer Steve Cishek blew a save opportunity for the second time in three chances, serving up a three-run homer to Daniel Murphy with one out in the ninth inning on Monday.
The late rally helped the Mets snap the Miami Marlins' five-game winning streak with a 3-1 victory.
The Marlins grabbed the lead in the eighth with three consecutive two-out singles, breaking up Dillon Gee's shutout bid in a game that took only 1 hour, 58 minutes.
It was the fastest nine-inning game in the majors since the Padres and Astros also finished in 1:58 on June 27, 2012, according to STATS.
Jarred Cosart matched Gee by allowing just two hits in eight scoreless innings.
The Mets (15-5) won with five hits, bouncing back from a sloppy loss Sunday night to the crosstown Yankees. The Mets have the best record in the majors and improved to 5-0 against Miami, including a sweep of a four-game series at Citi Field.
Juan Lagares doubled to start the ninth when his long drive was misjudged by center fielder Marcell Ozuna, and Lucas Duda walked. Following a flyout, Murphy hit his second homer and raised a jubilant fist as the ball landed in the seats.
"I think I touched the bases," he said. "To be completely honest, I don't know."
Cishek, meanwhile, yanked off his cap in dismay. His ERA rose to 11.37.
"It's tough, especially since the Mets swept us last series," he said. "We really wanted to stick it to them, and this falls on me."
Murphy and Gee both started slowly this season for New York. Murphy came into the game batting only .169, though he did have a pair of RBI doubles Sunday.
"I'm just focusing on the at-bat at hand," he said. "No matter what I do, I'm not going to wake up tomorrow and be hitting .290, so one at-bat at a time is all I can control."
Gee is winless in four starts, and came into the game with a 5.60 ERA. But the right-hander took a three-hit shutout into the eighth.
"We can put to rest that Dillon Gee can't pitch at this level," Collins said. "There has been a lot of talk, and I feel terrible for him. He went out there tonight and showed he can do what he has done in the past."
Carlos Torres (1-0) retired Giancarlo Stanton on a popup with two on to end the eighth. Jeurys Familia pitched a perfect ninth for his major league-leading ninth save in as many chances, completing a six-hitter and breaking the team record for saves in April.
Familia was helped by Murphy, who made an acrobatic play to rob Michael Morse of a hit.
"It was Dan's night," Collins said.
PACE OF PLAY
Gee threw 24 first-pitch strikes and totaled only 70 pitches - 13 balls - in 7 2-3 innings. Cosart threw just 93 pitches.
"In the third inning I said, `This thing might be about an hour and 25 minutes,'" Collins said.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Mets: Former closer Bobby Parnell (Tommy John surgery) is scheduled to throw on flat ground Thursday. He was shut down last week because of forearm soreness but said no structural problems were found.
UP NEXT
RHP Rafael Montero (0-1, 4.15 ERA) is scheduled to make a spot start Tuesday night against Miami, giving the Mets' rotation an extra day of rest. Collins said he's not looking to make any changes in the rotation, but will likely use a spot starter again at some point because the Mets want to limit ace Matt Harvey and 41-year-old Bartolo Colon to 30 starts each. RHP David Phelps (1-0, 3.55) will start for the Marlins.
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