Full Breakdown
Mets Edge Marlins 7-5 as Sean Manaea Flirts with a Perfect Game
9/9/2026, 12:15:59 PM
Game Summary
New York’s starting pitcher Sean Manaea retired the first 15 batters he faced, carrying a 6-0 lead into the sixth inning of the Tuesday night matchup in Miami. The Mets held on for a 7-5 victory over the Miami Marlins, extending their winning streak to three games and improving to five wins in their last six contests.
Early Offensive Surge
The Mets jumped out to a quick lead when leadoff shortstop Francisco Lindor homered on the first pitch of the game, a 405-foot drive to right-center that put New York ahead 1-0. In the second inning, outfielder Juan Soto added a 417-foot, three-run blast—his 24th homer of the season—expanding the margin to 5-0. A solo shot by first-base prospect Brett Baty in the third inning completed a three-home-run barrage that gave the Mets a 6-0 cushion.
Manaea’s Near-Perfect Start
Manaea, a left-hander, was flawless through five innings, retiring every batter he faced and throwing 61 pitches, 45 of them strikes. He struck out four hitters and issued no walks, keeping the Marlins off the scoreboard while New York built its lead.
Sixth-Inning Collapse
The perfect bid ended when Marlins’ rookie Jakob Marsee singled to left field to break up the bid. Manaea then surrendered five consecutive hits, allowing three runs before being removed for reliever Jonathan Pintaro. Marlins’ third-baseman Javier Sanoja added an RBI single off Pintaro, cutting the lead to 7-4.
Pitching Statistics
Manaea finished with a line of five innings pitched, four earned runs on five hits, four strikeouts and no walks, leaving him with a 4.79 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP on the season. The Marlins’ starter Sandy Alcantara (13-10) struggled, yielding seven runs on seven hits and four walks in 4 1/3 innings.
Mets’ Recent Form
The victory marked the Mets’ third straight win and their fifth triumph in six games, helping the club climb out of the National League East cellar. The offensive outburst—three homers and multiple RBI hits—provided the cushion that allowed Manaea’s early dominance to translate into a win despite the sixth-inning rally.
Rotation Outlook
Analysts note that Manaea’s performance underscores his value as a rotation candidate, especially given the Mets’ early-season health luck—none of their projected starters have missed time due to injury. While the team has experimented with using Manaea in relief roles, his ability to pitch deep into games when healthy makes him a strong option for a regular starting spot alongside fellow left-hander Zac Thornton and right-hander Jonah Tong.
Upcoming Game
The Mets will look to complete the series sweep on Wednesday, with right-hander Robert Stock slated to start against Marlins’ right-hander Janson Junk.
Impact on the Club
Manaea’s near-perfect outing illustrates the Mets’ improving pitching depth and offensive firepower, both critical factors as the team seeks to shed its early-season struggles and contend for a postseason berth. The combination of early runs and a strong starting effort provides a template the club hopes to replicate in the weeks ahead.
