Luis Severino and three relievers teamed up to pitch a four-hit shutout as the New York Mets defeated the Miami Marlins 1-0 on Saturday.
Pete Alonso doubled in the fourth inning with one out and scored the game’s only run when Francisco Alvarez grounded into a fielder’s choice with the bases loaded.
“We hit some balls really hard, especially with runners in scoring position,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. “We had opportunities but couldn’t capitalize today.”
José Iglesias had two hits for the Mets (50-47), who have now won four out of eight games against the NL-worst Marlins this season. They have turned their season around since June 2, going 26-12 after falling to a season-low 11 games under .500.
This was New York’s second shutout of the season, with both coming in their last six games. Miami was shut out for the 11th time.
Severino (7-3) struck out seven batters and allowed only two hits over six innings. He walked three and hit a batter with a pitch, extending his streak of pitching at least six innings to eight consecutive starts.
The 30-year-old right-hander has been reliable in his first season with the Mets after spending his first eight years with the crosstown New York Yankees.
“Being on the same page with Alvarez, throwing strikes and executing pitches in crucial moments — that was the key today,” Severino said.
In the sixth inning, Severino faced a threat from the Marlins when Jake Burger was hit by a pitch and Otto López walked with two outs. Severino then threw a wild pitch that moved both runners into scoring position but finished his outing strong by striking out Nick Gordon.
Before Severino faced Gordon, Mendoza visited the mound but had no intention of removing his starter. “I was confident in leaving him out there, but I wanted to hear his thoughts,” Mendoza said.
“His velocity was still good and he was hitting his spots well. I knew he wanted to finish the inning. As soon as I got there, he said, ‘Let me handle this.’”
