Mets ignore off-field distractions, edge Marlins for fourth win in a row

NEW YORK — The Mets chipped away at the Marlins’ lead and delivered a sweep of the Fish to cap a chaotic homestand on a high note.

Even by the Mets’ standards, the off-field distractions were in a surplus during their nine-game homestand against the Giants, Nationals and Marlins, ranging from controversy over thumbs to the acting GM being arrested for drunk driving. Despite it all — Noah Syndergaard testing positive for COVID-19, forced apologies from Javier Baez and Francisco Lindor, and a front office in deep disarray — the Mets showed up to play against the two worst teams in their mediocre division.

The Mets earned a 4-3 win over the Marlins in the series finale on Thursday night at Citi Field.

With the game tied and the go-ahead run on third, Dominic Smith came off the bench and delivered a scorching pinch-hit RBI single off first baseman Jesus Aguilar’s glove in the seventh inning. Smith ripped a missile, with an exit velocity of 104 mph, as Jeff McNeil crossed home plate to give the Mets the lead for good. Trevor May shut down the meat of the Marlins’ order in the eighth, and Edwin Diaz recorded his 28th save in 32 opportunities to keep the Marlins off the board.

The Mets will take a four-game winning streak to Nationals Park on Friday, where they will start a five-game series against another division foe.

Carlos Carrasco was solid in his seventh start of the season, but his first-inning struggles put the Mets in an early hole and hiked up his pitch count. For the second time this year, Carrasco gave up a home run to the first batter he faced. On Thursday, it was Miguel Rojas who took him deep. In 28 2/3 innings this season, Carrasco has surrendered six first-inning home runs. He settled down from there, retiring 12 consecutive batters before departing on 5 1/3 innings.

Jonathan Villar picked Carrasco up right away, returning the favor and cranking a leadoff home run off Marlins right-hander Sandy Alcantara in the bottom of the first inning. Thursday was the first time since pitch counts have been tracked (1988) that both team’s leadoff hitters hit a first-pitch leadoff home run in the same game, per MLB.com.