Lindor, Soto Lead Mets Past Marlins

MIAMI — Francisco Lindor took Miami Marlins right-hander Sandy Alcantara deep on the very first pitch of the game, guiding the New York Mets to a 7-5 win Tuesday at loanDepot park.

The Mets shortstop jumped on Alcantara’s 95.3 mph sinker and sent it over the wall, instantly putting Miami in a hole. It was precisely the kind of start New York wanted against a pitcher capable of controlling a game when he gets ahead of hitters.

Alcantara, one of the Marlins’ most experienced starters, was forced to work from behind before the game had even developed.

The loss dropped the Marlins to 72-74, putting their playoff hopes on life support. Miami is 1-4 on what has become its most important nine-game homestand of the 2026 season.

Lindor’s leadoff homer started the scoring, and Jared Young followed with an RBI single that made it 2-0 in the first.

Juan Soto then delivered the biggest blow of the evening, launching a three-run homer in the second to push New York’s advantage to 5-0.

After an offensive explosion against right-hander Eury Pérez one afternoon earlier, the Mets wasted little time showing that their bats had traveled well into the second game of the series.

New York pounded out 16 hits and scored nine runs Monday in a 9-4 victory, repeatedly putting pressure on Pérez and the Miami defense.

A.J. Ewing led the charge with three hits and three RBIs, while Bo Bichette, Marcus Semien and Francisco Alvarez also delivered key hits.

The Mets carried that same aggressive approach into Tuesday’s game against Alcantara, the Marlins’ ace.

Brett Baty added a solo homer in the third, and the Mets reached seven runs in the fifth when Baty lifted a sacrifice fly. Suddenly, New York had a 7-0 lead and appeared to be cruising.

Sean Manaea was just as dominant.

The veteran left-hander retired Miami’s first 15 batters, carrying a perfect game into the sixth inning while keeping the Marlins’ lineup off balance.

After everything had gone New York’s way through five innings, however, the momentum began shifting in the Marlins’ favor.

Jakob Marsee broke up Manaea’s perfect game with an infield single to third to begin the sixth inning before moving to second on a fielding error.

What followed turned a seemingly comfortable night into a much tighter finish. Miami finally found some life against Manaea, stringing together quality at-bats and taking advantage of its first sustained opportunity.

The Marlins pushed four runs across in the inning, cutting deeply into New York’s seven-run advantage and suddenly making the Mets sweat.

Miami made it a 7-5 game in the bottom of the ninth but couldn’t complete what would have been a jaw-dropping comeback.

Right-hander Janson Junk will start Wednesday in the series finale at 6:40 p.m. ET.