Bugle Miami

Carrasco, Lindor lead Mets past Marlins 4-0 for 5th straight

MIAMI — — Carlos Carrasco earned his 100th career win, pitching four-hit ball into the eighth inning as the New York Mets beat the Miami Marlins 4-0 Saturday night.

Francisco Lindor had three hits, including his 17th homer, while Jeff McNeil and J.D. Davis also went deep for the NL East leaders, who won their fifth straight.

The 35-year-old Carrasco (11-4) walked two and struck out seven in 7 2/3 innings. He became the eighth Venezuelan pitcher to reach 100 major league wins.

“To be on that list makes me profoundly proud,” Carrasco said. “I will continue to work hard and try to reach bigger milestones. What matters most is that I feel healthy.”

Through 100 games, the Mets (63-37) have the second-best record in club history. The 1986 World Series championship team was 68-32 at the same point.

“We’ve played some good baseball and we’ve had our challenges,” manager Buck Showalter said. “They’ve been inflicted by other teams, not self-inflicted. That’s something I’ve been proud of.”

The Marlins lost their sixth in a row at home. They have not homered in their own ballpark since July 5 — a stretch of 11 games.

Miami starter Nick Neidert (0-1) retired his first seven batters before McNeil connected in the third. Tomás Nido and Brandon Nimmo followed with consecutive singles, and Lindor’s two-out RBI single made it 2-0.

McNeil’s drive snapped a 2-for-27 slide. He initially received the silent treatment from teammates in the dugout after completing his home run trot but soon was swarmed in celebration.

“I thought it was going to be the next inning,” McNeil said of the extended silence. “It lasted a few pitches, but a good celebration.”

Third baseman Charles Leblanc went 1 for 3 in his major league debut for the Marlins. After striking out in his first two at-bats, Leblanc doubled in the eighth but was picked off at second, ending the inning.

“It’s hard to explain — I didn’t feel any pressure,” Leblanc said.

New York padded its lead with solo shots from Lindor and Davis in the eighth.

“Those couple of runs at the end helped,” Lindor said.

Seth Lugo relieved Carrasco and got four outs to finish the four-hitter.

Promoted from Triple-A Jacksonville earlier in the day, Neidert allowed two runs, five hits and struck out three in five innings.

Leblanc’s double and Miguel Rojas’ steal of second in the first provided Miami’s only opportunities with runners in scoring position against Carrasco.

“He was executing,” Marlins manager Don Mattingly said. “He was getting the ball on the edges on both sides of the plate.”

TOP PICK SIGNS

The Mets signed catcher Kevin Parada, their top selection in the amateur draft. Parada, the 11th overall pick, hit .360 with 26 home runs and 88 RBI in his final season at Georgia Tech.

QUICK REFLEXES

With his back toward the plate, Neidert snatched Nimmo’s comebacker for the second out of the fifth. The ball was clocked at 104 mph off Nimmo’s bat.

FROM THE MOUND, NOT BEHIND THE PLATE

Hall of Fame catcher Iván Rodríguez threw out the ceremonial first pitch before the game. Rodríguez’s 21-year major league career included one season with the Marlins in which he helped lead them to the 2003 World Series championship.

ROSTER MOVES

The Marlins purchased Neidert’s contract from Jacksonville and designated RHP Jimmy Jacabonis for assignment.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Mets: Barring any unforeseen setback, RHP Jacob deGrom (stress reaction right scapula) will make his season debut Tuesday at Washington. The two-time Cy Young Award winner has a scheduled workout Sunday.

Marlins: LHP Daniel Castano was placed on the seven-day concussion injured list. Castano was hit in the head by a line drive Thursday at Cincinnati. … INF/OF Jon Berti (left groin strain) resumed baseball activities at the club’s spring training complex in Jupiter.

UP NEXT

Mets RHP Taijuan Walker (8-2, 2.67 ERA) starts the series finale Sunday against RHP Pablo López (7-5, 3.03).

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