Bell hits tying homer as Marlins score 4 in 9th off struggling Díaz, rally past Mets in 10
MIAMI — Josh Bell hit a tying homer off Edwin Díaz in a four-run ninth inning, the latest costly meltdown by the struggling New York Mets closer, and Otto Lopez singled home the winning run in the 10th as the Miami Marlins rallied for a 10-9 victory Saturday.
Lopez sent a one-out grounder up the middle off Jorge López (1-1) through a drawn-in infield to score automatic runner Christian Bethancourt from third base, and the last-place Marlins (15-32) stretched their winning streak to a season-best four games. It was Miami's fourth walk-off win of the year.
"It was nuts," Bell said. "The fifth, sixth inning rolls around, you're hearing the 'Let's go Mets' chants. I know their fans travel well, but it was nice to hear our fans cheer."
Miami was down 9-5 in the ninth before Jazz Chisholm Jr. singled to drive in Vidal Bruján, who led off with a double against Díaz. Bryan De La Cruz reached on an infield single with one out, and Bell hammered Díaz's first-pitch slider 428 feet to straightaway center field for a three-run shot that tied it.
"Definitely up there (in my career)," Bell said. "I think just the situation in the game, and then that's a future Hall of Famer out there — best closer in the game. So happy to help our team win there, but first and foremost, I don't think I've gotten a hit against (Díaz) in the big leagues."
Díaz wasn't charged with a blown save because he entered with a four-run lead. But he's blown two consecutive save chances and three of his last four. In his past three outings, he's allowed seven earned runs, seven hits, three walks and two homers over 2 1/3 innings. The star closer with a $102 million contract has a 10.80 ERA over his last eight appearances after serving up four homers in 8 1/3 innings.
"I won't lie, my confidence I feel is down right now," Díaz said. "I'm making pitches. I'm throwing strikes. I'm trying to do my best to help the team to win. Right now I'm not in that capacity."
It was Díaz's first outing at Miami's home ballpark since he went down with a season-ending knee injury there in March 2023 while celebrating Puerto Rico's victory over the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic.
New York (20-25) lost for the seventh time in nine games — all against division opponents — and equaled a season worst of five games below .500 set with its 0-5 start.
Tanner Scott (3-4) picked up the win by pitching a scoreless 10th.
Miami had shut out its previous three opponents — including an 8-0 win over the Mets on Friday night — before J.D. Martinez ripped an RBI single off starter Braxton Garrett that scored Francisco Lindor in the first.
Garrett pitched 4 1/3 innings, giving up seven hits and six runs with five strikeouts and a walk.
Chisholm had three hits and three RBIs, including a solo homer off Mets starter Luis Severino in the third. Bell finished with three hits and four RBIs.
Severino gave up six hits and five runs in 6 2/3 innings. The right-hander let the Marlins back in it in the seventh when he allowed a walk, a run-scoring double and a two-out RBI single that made it 7-4. Reed Garrett replaced Severino and gave up an RBI single to Bell before retiring Jesús Sánchez on a flyout to end the inning.
Martinez and Starling Marte each had an RBI double in the ninth to give the Mets a four-run cushion.
Marte finished with three hits. Harrison Bader and Jeff McNeil each had two RBIs for New York.
Lindor went hitless while batting leadoff for the first time this season, replacing Brandon Nimmo — who hit third — in a lineup shuffle that manager Carlos Mendoza hoped would generate more offense and spark the slumping Lindor.
Lindor reached base on a hit by pitch in the first and brought in a run on a groundout that broke a 2-all tie in the fourth. He also struck out in an 11-pitch at-bat in the second.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Mets: Mendoza said RHP Kodai Senga (right shoulder capsule strain) will throw a bullpen Sunday as he continues to shore up his mechanics. ... RHP Drew Smith (shoulder soreness) will throw a bullpen early next week. Mendoza said Smith has been playing catch and felt no "pinch" in his shoulder area.
UP NEXT
Mets LHP Sean Manaea (2-1, 3.05 ERA) starts the series finale Sunday against RHP Sixto Sánchez (0-1, 5.96).
