Queens, NY—- Ketel Marte’s leadoff homer followed by a clutch two-run shot in the ninth inning propelled the Arizona Diamondbacks to a 5-4 victory over the New York Mets, resulting in a four-game split.
Marte expressed his crucial role, stating, “The team needs me. When I play good, we’re going to win a lot of games.”
Despite an initial surge from the Mets with Brandon Nimmo and J.D. Martinez driving in three runs in the third inning, the Diamondbacks staged a late comeback, dealing the Mets their sixth loss since May 1 when leading after eight innings.
Pinch-hitter Gabriel Moreno kick-started the ninth inning with a double, paving the way for Marte’s towering home run off Jake Diekman, clinching the win for Arizona. Marte’s power-packed performance marked his seventh career multi-homer game.
Reflecting on his team’s performance, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza acknowledged missed opportunities, saying, “At some point, you were going to run into a matchup that you didn’t want. Didn’t work.”
Justin Martínez’s stellar pitching in relief earned him the win, while Paul Sewald secured the victory with his fifth save.
With the win, Arizona ended a five-game losing streak, heading back home on a positive note. Meanwhile, the Mets continued to struggle, falling 11 games under .500 and enduring a winless homestand.
Despite a strong start by Mets pitcher Jose Quintana, who allowed only three hits in four innings, the Diamondbacks’ offense capitalized on opportunities, including solo homers from Ketel Marte and Lourdes Gurriel Jr.
The Mets’ struggles continued as they failed to secure a series win, disappointing their fan base. Manager Mendoza emphasized the need for improvement, especially at home.
On the injury front, the Diamondbacks provided updates on several players, including SS Geraldo Perdomo, OF Alek Thomas, and LHP Eduardo Rodriguez, indicating progress and potential timelines for their returns.
UP NEXT:
Diamondbacks: RHP Ryne Nelson (3-4, 6.02 ERA) starts at home Monday night against the San Francisco Giants.
Mets: RHP Tylor Megill (0-2, 1.69 ERA) starts
