Fernandez Outduels Harvey, Marlins Beat Mets 1-0
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MIAMI (CBSMiami/AP) — Marlins ace Jose Fernandez tied a career high with 14 strikeouts in seven scoreless innings to outpitch a resurgent Matt Harvey and the team averted a series sweep by beating the shorthanded New York Mets 1-0 Sunday.
Fernandez (9-2) won his eighth consecutive start to tie Chris Hammond's team record, set in the franchise's first season in 1993.
Fernandez allowed four hits, including consecutive two-out singles in the seventh. When he escaped by striking out Wilmer Flores with his 100th and final pitch, he spun on the mound, pumped his arms and screamed in satisfaction as he walked to the dugout.
The right-hander improved to 23-1 with a 1.53 ERA in 33 career starts at Marlins Park.
David Phelps, the losing pitcher Saturday, bounced back with a 1-2-3 eighth. A.J. Ramos pitched a perfect ninth for his 27th consecutive save, including 18 this year.
Neil Walker flied out to the warning track in center to end the game. The Mets finished with four hits, Miami five.
Harvey (4-8) pitched well for the second outing in a row after a succession of poor starts. He went seven innings, allowed one run and lowered his ERA to 4.95.
Neither starter gave up a walk. Each allowed only one baserunner in the first four innings.
Miami scored the only run in the fifth when Derek Dietrich doubled off the wall and J.T. Realmuto hit an RBI single with one out.
The Mets' starting lineup was without outfielders Yoenis Cespedes and Juan Lagares, both nursing injuries, and captain David Wright, who went on the disabled list Friday.
Cespedes, slowed by a sore right hip, flied out as a pinch hitter in the eighth.
Marlins right fielder Ichiro Suzuki robbed Michael Conforto with a leaping catch on the warning track in the fifth inning. Fernandez showed his appreciation with a wave of the cap to his 42-year-old teammate.
That play helped Fernandez retire 15 in a row as the Mets' frustration grew. When Asdrubal Cabrera struck out to end the sixth, he angrily slapped his bat toward the dugout.
DAY OFF
Miami slugger Giancarlo Stanton, who is 8 for 73 (.110) in his past 21 games, who given the day off.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Mets: Lagares (left thumb) was to be evaluated by a doctor Sunday.
ROSTER MOVE
Before the game, the Marlins optioned RHP Cody Hall to Triple-A New Orleans and recalled RHP Brian Ellington.
UP NEXT
Mets: They open a three-game series at Pittsburgh on Monday, with LHP Steven Matz (7-1, 2.60) scheduled to start against LHP Jon Niese (5-2, 4.36).
Marlins: After an off day, they face the Minnesota Twins for the first time since 2013 on Tuesday, with Adam Conley (3-3, 3.72) scheduled to start the series opener in Minneapolis.
