Bobby Parnell, who lately has lit up the radar gun by throwing heat in the triple digits, was lit up by the Marlins for two runs in the eighth inning as the fish score late and win their series finale over the Mets 5-4.
Parnell entered the game in the eighth as the setup man with a 4-3 lead, hoping to continue his string of solid outings as he held a 1.88 ERA over his last 21 appearances.
But he just did not have his slider out of the bullpen, and Logan Morrison clobbered a hanger for a homerun to tie the ballgame. He then gave up a single to Mike Stanton, who also went deep earlier. Stanton scored the go-ahead run on pinch-hitter John Buck’s RBI double to center field off of the stunned setup man.
Before Parnell blew it, the Mets were behind through the first six innings. Dillon Gee was not nearly as sharp as he was when he won seven straight decisions earlier this season. He had a base runner in each of his five innings, but only allowed three runs to keep the Mets in the game.
Manny Acosta replaced him, and pitched two perfect innings of relief. He was setup to be the winning pitcher after David Wright socked a two-run homerun in the top of the seventh to push the Mets ahead 4-3.
The Mets lost another tough game against the Marlins. The fish have a penchant for ruining the Mets playoff hopes. In 2007 and 2008, it was losses to the Marlins at the very end of those seasons that pushed the Phillies passed the collapsed Mets. This series might have ended the Mets wild card hopes before the deadline this year, almost assuring that Carlos Beltran will be moved.
The Mets will fly to Cincinnati and start a four game series against the Reds tomorrow night. With the trading deadline less than a week away, the Mets will continue to mull over offers for Beltran and other Mets that contenders are looking to add to their clubs. Jose Reyes is unlikely to be a part of those discussions, but check-in with Chat Sports for the latest trade rumors and other Mets news.
Mets News:
Andy Martino of the New York Daily News compiled a list of prospects the Mets could possibly receive in return for Beltran, some of which come from rival teams like the Braves and Phillies. Beltran has a full no-trade clause allowing him to veto any trade to any team, but he said he will waive his clause if he were to go to a contending team.