Jason Bay’s grand slam lifts Mets past Marlins

Miami, FL, United States (4E Sports) – Jason Bay hit his fifth career grand slam in the first inning and the New York Mets earned their first three-game road sweep of the Miami Marlins in five years with a 5-1 win Sunday at Marlins Park.

Sparked by Bay’s huge homer, the Mets scored all of their runs in the opening frame against veteran starter Mark Buehrle (12-12) on their way to their first three-game sweep since taking three games against the Baltimore Orioles in June.

Young right-hander Chris Young (4-7) worked five innings of one-run ball, allowing five hits and striking out three before four relievers held the Marlins scoreless in the last four innings.

Despite giving up five earned runs in the first inning, Buerhle lasted seven frames with six hits and three strikeouts but it was not enough to extend his three-start winning streak.

Buerhle gave up back-to-back doubles to Ronny Cedeno and Justin Turner before Wright delivered an RBI single for a 1-0 Mets lead.

After Scott Hairston popped out to Jose Reyes in shallow left field, Buehrle walked Ike Davis and hit Kelly Shoppach to load the bases for Bay, who entered the day hitting just .152.

Bay then cranked a 1-0 pitch from Buehrle to right-center field for his first grand slam since Sept. 8, 2011, when he hit one in the first game of a doubleheader against the Braves. It was the Mets’ first grand slam since Hairston hit one on June 27 against the Cubs.

Young held the Marlins to three hits through the first four innings and twice escaped situations with runners in scoring position.

With men on second and third in the first inning, Young struck out Giancarlo Stanton and retired Carlos Lee to end the frame. He again got Stanton to strike out in the third with two down and Reyes at second.

Young’s only blemish was a two-out RBI double to Justin Ruggiano to cut the Mets’ lead to four before he retired Reyes to end his outing.

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