J.D. Martinez slammed a two-run home run in the ninth inning, sealing a 3-2 win for the New York Mets against the Miami Marlins on Thursday night.
With just one out left, Edwin Díaz, who returned from the injured list, secured the win. Díaz had a shaky start, throwing his first pitch to the backstop, but then delivered a flawless inning, striking out one batter.
The Mets’ Francisco Lindor started the ninth inning with a walk, then stole second base. Martinez stepped up next and, on a 3-1 pitch from Tanner Scott, launched a slider into the Marlins’ bullpen beyond the right-center fence, marking his first career game-ending homer.
“It feels great,” Martinez said. “I’ve never done it before. I didn’t know how to act coming home and stuff. It was definitely cool. I’ve hit a lot of late-inning home runs and hits, but never a walk-off homer.”
This was Martinez’s first game-ending hit since April 6, 2021, when he hit a double for Boston to beat Tampa Bay.
Despite only managing three hits, the Mets rallied to win their eighth game in 12 outings. They struggled to get hits against Marlins rookie starter Roddery Muñoz, with their first hit coming in the sixth inning.
The Marlins had their moments, with Jake Burger homering off Mets starter Luis Severino in the sixth, and Jazz Chisholm Jr. hitting a home run off Drew Smith in the seventh. However, the Marlins couldn’t maintain their lead, losing for only the second time in 18 games when leading after eight innings.
