Tyrone Taylor scored the tying run on a wild pitch in the eighth inning, and then Eddy Alvarez, another pinch-runner, dashed home on a passed ball as the New York Mets came from behind to beat the Toronto Blue Jays 3-2 on Monday night. This win was their 10th in their last 11 games.
“Today was a good team win,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. “When it was hard for us, we found a way to get one.”
New York recovered after a nine-game winning streak was ended by Cincinnati on Sunday. They moved a game ahead of Atlanta for the final National League wild card spot, as the Braves lost 1-0 to the Reds in a makeup game from a July rainout.
The Mets saw a strong performance from fill-in starter Tylor Megill, who pitched six shutout innings, allowing just one hit. He retired the last 16 batters he faced and matched his season high with nine strikeouts.
“Felt great tonight,” Megill said. “Everything was working.”
Trailing 2-1 in the eighth inning against reliever Tommy Nance (0-1), pinch-hitter Jesse Winker walked and was replaced by Taylor. Francisco Alvarez reached base on an infield single, with Taylor moving to third due to a throwing error. Francisco Lindor then walked to load the bases, and Eddy Alvarez ran for Francisco Alvarez.
Taylor scored when Nance threw a wild pitch to Mark Vientos, and Eddy Alvarez scored on a passed ball by catcher Brian Serven.
“We shot ourselves in the foot,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said. “We didn’t help ourselves there.”
Eddy Alvarez had just been acquired from Boston for cash in a minor league trade on Sunday and was added to the major league roster on Monday.
Ryne Stanek (7-3) struck out three batters in the eighth inning, and Edwin Díaz earned his 17th save in 23 opportunities by getting Leo Jiménez to fly out to the warning track and leaving a runner stranded at first base.
