MIAMI - The Mets protected their newly earned perch atop the National League East.
Just one day after nudging past the Nationals for sole possession of first place, the Mets beat the Marlins, 5-1, Tuesday night, behind an eighth-inning offensive outburst that turned a tense affair into a comfortable victory.
One night after exploding for 12 runs, the Mets needed eight innings to hit their stride offensively.
Pinch hitter Eric Campbell triggered an avalanche against Marlins reliever Mike Dunn (1-5). With two on and two outs, Campbell's soft liner sailed into shallow leftfield to score the go-ahead run.