Mets exploit mistakes to beat Blue Jays and overtake Braves in wildcard race

TORONTO – The Mets blew a narrow lead in the seventh inning on Monday night, but played the role of gracious guests and let a bad team take the game.

Hey, it counts.

Despite a lackluster lineup for the second day in a row, the Mets capitalized on their opponent's eighth-inning fumbles to win 3-2 against the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre.

A day after their nine-game winning streak ended, the Mets managed just three hits but used Jesse Winker's pinch-hit walk and Francisco Alvarez's infield single to tie the game and take the lead in the eighth inning. The Mets (79-65) moved one game ahead of Atlanta in the race for the NL's third wild card.

“When things were difficult for us, we found a way to make it work,” said manager Carlos Mendoza.

After Danny Young allowed two runs in the seventh inning, putting the Mets behind 2-1, Winker worked a walk and Alvarez hit a slow grounder that third baseman Ernie Clement deflected and put runners on the corners.

Pinch runner Tyrone Taylor scored the tying point with the bases loaded on a wild pitch by Tommy Nance (after a walk for Francisco Lindor), and catcher Brian Serven's passed ball allowed pinch runner Eddy Alvarez to score the game-winning point.

“I think the way we controlled the strike zone in this inning, especially after chasing so much earlier in the game, was key,” Mendoza said.[And] aggressive baserunning. I think we made some really good reads and some good jumps.”

Tylor Megill only learned on Sunday that he would be pitching that evening after Paul Blackburn's back problems prevented his return from the injured list.

Megill responded by retiring the last 16 batters he faced after loading all bases in the first inning without allowing a run. It was a much-needed boost for Megill, who had started the night with a 4.95 ERA.

“I threw the ball great tonight and felt good,” Megill said. “Everything clicked.”

Overall, Megill allowed one hit in six scoreless innings, during which he allowed two walks and set a season-high nine strikeouts.

It was the second time this season that the right-hander had gone at least six scoreless innings. On May 28, he threw seven scoreless innings against the Dodgers, in which he also recorded nine strikeouts.

“I found out [Sunday] “I was starting, so I prepared, went out and did it,” said Megill, who was told Saturday to stand by from the bullpen in case she was needed.

Megill walked Will Wagner in the first inning to load the bases, but ended the inning with a comebacker and put Alejandro Kirk out of action.

The Blue Jays had established a two-out threat that included a walk to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Spencer Horwitz's double. The Blue Jays did not touch Megill for the remainder of his start.

“It was a huge trip for us,” Mendoza said.

JD Martinez – who moved to sixth in the lineup behind Jose Iglesias – hit an RBI single in the fourth inning that gave the Mets a 1-0 lead.

Pete Alonso started the rally with a two-out walk and Iglesias was thrown out before Martinez scored his 69th RBI of the season.

Francisco Alvarez worked a walk in the fifth inning, but was thrown out while attempting to steal second base, ending the inning. Iglesias was caught on the first strike of the seventh inning, but was taken out by Starling Marte's double-play grounder, ending the inning.

Young threw out Wagner to start the Blue Jays' comeback in the seventh inning. After Kirk hit a single, Jose Butto allowed a single by Clement that loaded the bases.

Butto forced the first run for Toronto on a pass from Leo Jimenez and Nathan Lukes' sacrifice fly put the Mets behind 2-1.

After the Mets took a 3-2 lead in the eighth inning, Ryne Stanek and Edwin Diaz pitched the final two innings without scoring.

Diaz allowed a single from Clement in the ninth inning before Jimenez hit a ball to right that landed in Marte's glove, but not before casting a moment's doubt as to whether the Mets were still in the lead.

“I didn’t know right away,” Mendoza said.