Marlins 8, Mets 4
Marlins 8, Mets 4: Giancarlo Stanton hit a walk-off grand slam to cap a six-run bottom of the ninth as host Miami took the rubber game and picked up its 10th win in the last 12 games.
After Heath Bell (2-3) melted down and allowed New York to take the lead in the top of the ninth, Frank Francisco (1-3) did the same in the bottom of the frame.
The Mets closer allowed a leadoff triple to Emilio Bonifacio and walked John Buck. Greg Dobbs’ single cut it to 4-3 and chased Francisco, who got into a shouting match with the home plate umpire on his way to the dugout.
Manny Acosta was no better, allowing the tying run on Jose Reyes’ sacrifice fly and loading the bases on a walk and a hit-by-pitch in front of Stanton, who took a first-pitch fastball deep over the center-field fence for his seventh homer.
Knotted at 2-2 in the ninth, Miami manager Ozzie Guillen called on struggling right-hander Bell. The former closer allowed a bases-loaded double to pinch hitter Justin Turner to snap the tie.
Jon Niese worked six scoreless innings for the Mets, striking out four while surrendering five hits and three walks. The left-hander was lifted for a pinch hitter in the seventh and Ramon Ramirez quickly surrendered the 2-0 lead.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Carlos Zambrano went the first seven innings for the Marlins, allowing two runs - one earned - on five hits while walking three and striking out seven. … David Wright went 1-for-3 for the Mets, dropping his average to an even .400. … New York lost for the second time in its last eight games.