Mets Dominate Marlins with a Seven-Run Fifth, Aim to Clinch Series Before Home Opener

The Mets’ bats finally came to life on Monday night. After sputtering through the first series of the season despite a strong pitching display, New York exploded for seven runs in the fifth inning, rolling to a 10-4 win over the Marlins at loanDepot Park in Miami. 

📚 #MetsWin #LGM pic.twitter.com/d31TPrw1fI

— New York Mets (@Mets) April 1, 2025

 

A Hit for Every Met

Every single Met in the lineup contributed to the 11 total hits tonight—Pete Alonso delivered the decisive blow with his first homer of the year—a grand slam to right-center—while David Peterson fanned nine over six strong innings in his exceptional season debut.

Katia and Francisco Lindor Welcome Baby Koa

Off the field, the Mets had even more to celebrate. Francisco Lindor and his wife Katia welcomed their son, Koa Amani, yesterday. With the team traveling from Houston to Miami on their off day, Lindor was able to be there for the birth and still made it to the park for the Monday night game.

Though he was left out of the lineup, the shortstop was all smiles in the dugout (and even asked Carlos Mendoza about getting him in the game tonight), taking in the win while riding the high of becoming a dad for the third time.

Soto Stays Hot

Juan Soto picked up where he left off after providing the Mets’ only hit in Saturday’s loss. The slugger lasered a 106-mph single in the first inning into right field. It didn’t spark the hits parade, but it set the tone.

Peterson’s 2025 Debut: 9 Ks Across Dominant 6.0 Innings

On the mound, Peterson settled in quickly despite an early mistake. The left-hander struck out three in the first inning, leaning on sharp sinkers and four-seamers to open the game.

A misfired sinker to the second batter he faced, Otto Lopez, cashed in on it for a solo shot.

However, Peterson looked unfazed and collected two more punchouts after the fact. He issued back-to-back free passes in the second before escaping with 6 more Ks on the day and remained scoreless through five with minimal jams.

David Peterson was nasty today in Miami.

6 innings, 9 strikeouts, and 29% whiff rate — pure dominance.

Peterson isn’t overpowering, but his pitch mix, movement, and command? Surgical. pic.twitter.com/ql3gXLBqls

— Pitch Profiler (@pitchprofiler) April 1, 2025

 

I’ll say it now: His changeup and slider are truly devastating.

Eric Wagaman delivered the second run for Miami in the bottom of the sixth, another homer off Peterson and a good cut of a low-velo fastball. Those solo shots were two of only five hits Peterson allowed tonight.

His Final Line: 6.0 IP | 5 H | 2 R | 3 BB | 9 K | 89 Pitches

Marte Cashes in on Leadoff Opportunity

With Lindor out of the Lineup, platoon DH Starling Marte moved into the leadoff spot. In the third inning, he belted a game-tying solo home run to left-center off a hanging curveball, flashing the kind of power the Mets need from him this season. I’m not sure if that announcement of power upset the Marlins’ staff because he then reached base on a hit-by-pitch in both the fifth and sixth innings.

Glove Work Keeps It Tight

The Mets’ defense had Peterson’s back in the fourth. Soto made a smooth Gold Glove running grab on a slicing fly near the right-field line with a runner on first and one out. You could really see how hard Soto plays to 100% every game, and all the defensive work he’d been putting in this offseason is definitely showing.

Juan Soto makes the catch on the run! pic.twitter.com/iOgpPbCqch

— SNY (@SNYtv) March 31, 2025

 

Moments later, Alonso and shortstop Luisangel Acuña teamed up for a slick 3-6-3 double play, erasing the threat.

3-6-3 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Y3haGB7e1B

— New York Mets (@Mets) March 31, 2025

 

The Fifth-Inning Onslaught

After grinding through four frames with only Marte’s run on the board, the Mets’ offense finally broke through in the fifth.

Acuña got it started with an infield single before Jose Siri lined an RBI double to right-center, giving New York a 2-1 lead.

Alonso unloaded in a cinematic way with the bases loaded and no outs, which he tends to do when he steps into the box. The slugger crushed a grand slam to right-center, cracking the game wide open with his first home run of the season. An absolute rocket launched in the most clutch and poetic way.

THE POLAR BEAR IS GRAND!

PETE ALONSO GRAND SLAM FOR HIS FIRST HOMER OF THE SEASON 💪 pic.twitter.com/APaJElDWoz

— MLB (@MLB) April 1, 2025

 

11 Batters to the Plate

Two batters later, catcher Luis Torrens launched a fly ball to center that bobbled off Derek Hill’s glove, bouncing over the wall for a two-run homer.

The Mets sent 11 batters to the plate in the inning, scoring seven runs—a cathartic outburst after their so-called early-season struggles with runners in scoring position.

That 7-run 5th inning was fun! pic.twitter.com/0Bk6xydpaX

— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) April 1, 2025

 

While he was the only Met without a hit through the first five innings, Brandon Nimmo punched his ticket with a two-run shot in the sixth, his first (of many) for the season.

Brazobán’s Scoreless Relief (Again)

Huascar Brazobán kept the Mets in control with [another] pair of scoreless innings of relief after Peterson’s outing. The right-hander breezed through the seventh and eighth and collected two strikeouts. He tossed a total of 28 pitches against the Marlins’ lineup and showcased a four-pitch mix, including a heavily used changeup and cutter, a fastball, and a sinker.  

Bullpen Streak Snapped, but Still Dominant

The Mets’ bullpen went into the ninth, riding a then 12.1 scoreless inning streak, but closer Danny Young struggled to get the last out.

After quickly retiring the first two batters on just four pitches, he walked Graham Pauley and allowed three straight singles to the top of Miami’s order, adding another two runs to their line score. It did seem as though he struggled a bit against lefties tonight.

With two outs and the bases loaded, Young finally escaped by fanning Derek Hill on an 83-mph sweeper to end the game.

These are the New York Mets You’ve Been Waiting For

Pete Alonso’s grand slam, a hit for every Met, synergistic defensive work, and the nine Ks from Peterson powered New York to a much-needed win.

And some of y’all were worried about this offense

— Gab (@gabrielleraucci) April 1, 2025

 

The Mets will look to carry this momentum into tomorrow night against Sandy Alcantara, aiming to secure the series win before turning their attention to Friday’s home opener at Citi Field.

Series Recap: On to Miami Mets drop opening series in Houston