The Miami Marlins won Sunday’s Mother’s Day game by a score of 8-6 over the New York Mets thanks to a six run ninth that culminated with a Giancarlo Stanton walk-off grand slam. It was the fifth walk-off win of the year already for Miami which moved back to two games over .500 at 18-16. The win also gave the Marlins their fourth straight series victory and inched them closer to the Mets in the division.
Carlos Zambrano’s comeback season continued with seven strong innings in which he allowed only one earned run. It was a no decision from Zambrano who left with the game tied at two but the effort lowered his already impressive E.R.A to 1.88. The veteran struck out seven and walked three as his excellent control continued to be a welcome surprise for the Marlins. Edward Mujica worked a scoreless eighth to keep the game tied. In the ninth, Heath Bell returned to his struggling ways after two recent solid performances. Bell allowed two runs in the inning to give the Mets the lead with only one half inning of play left. Due to the rally in the bottom half of the inning, Bell was actually credited with the win despite the effort to give two victories on the season.
Stanton’s aforementioned grand slam was his seventh home run of the year and came on the first pitch he saw out of Manny Acosta’s hand in the ninth. The longball was a drive to deep center field that lit the home run sculpture up and set off a celebration at home plate. It was the first walk-off home run in Marlins Park history and the second walk-off win of the series. The Marlins now lead Major League Baseball with their five walk-off wins. Stanton also singled twice earlier in the game to give him a three hit game and raise his average to .289 on the year. John Buck homered in the seventh inning, his fourth of the year. The two run home run tied the game at two after the Mets held the lead from the fourth inning on. Emilio Bonifacio tripled twice in the game after not having a three base hit prior to the game all season.
The Marlins will start a quick two game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday with Anibal Sanchez scheduled to take on Brad Lincoln.
About Larry Walansky
