MIAMI — In need of a hero, the Mets found an unlikely one in Clay Holmes on Saturday.
Holmes, who had lasted six innings in a start only once since June 7, was taking the mound after getting thrust into a relief appearance three days earlier following a Sunday outing. The Mets were, and remain, desperate.
The veteran right-hander delivered a gem, ensuring the regular-season finale will carry meaning for the Mets on Sunday. Holmes pitched six scoreless innings, and the bullpen handled the rest in a 5-0 victory over the Marlins at loanDepot park.
The Mets (83-78) began the day tied with Cincinnati for the NL’s third and final wild-card spot, but the Reds own the tiebreaker. The Reds played a later game Saturday in Milwaukee.
Holmes followed in the tradition of John Maine and Johan Santana, who had excellent pitching performances against the Marlins in Game 161 — in 2007 and ’08, respectively — to help keep postseason hope alive. But in both instances, the Mets lost the following day to miss the playoffs.
“It was a game we had to win today, and I went out there and gave them my all,” Holmes said. “I think once we finish the job and get into the playoffs, I will be a little bit more satisfied.”
Manager Carlos Mendoza will turn to struggling lefty Sean Manaea — undoubtedly on a short leash — for Sunday’s start. Manaea also pitched an inning in relief Wednesday after starting three days earlier.
Holmes allowed only one hit with three walks and two strikeouts, departing after 78 pitches with the Mets ahead by three runs. Brooks Raley, Tyler Rogers and Edwin Díaz combined for the final nine outs.
“It took me back to last year, [going to] a World Series and how badly I want to be a part of that, especially with this group here,” said Holmes, who pitched as a reliever for the Yankees last season. “These must-win games kind of bring out some of that.”
Mendoza couldn’t bestow enough praise upon Holmes.
“With the season on the line, for him to go out there and just completely dominate that lineup was pretty impressive,” Mendoza said. “It’s probably one of the best we have seen. The sinker was the pitch for him today and he continued to get ground balls.”
Pete Alonso’s double in the first brought in the game’s first run. Francisco Lindor walked leading off and reached second on a wild pitch before Alonso delivered.
Alonso homered with two outs in the third to give the Mets a 2-0 lead. The blast was Alonso’s 38th this season and gave him 126 RBIs. He cleared the fence in left-center on a full-count, 101-mph fastball from Eury Pérez.
“It doesn’t matter how, just get it done and it’s going to be the same thing [Sunday],” Alonso said.
Holmes retired the first eight batters he faced before walking Heriberto Hernández in the third and surrendering a single to Xavier Edwards. But the right-hander rebounded to retire Jakob Marsee before retiring the side in order in the fourth.
After getting two quick outs in the fifth, Holmes walked Graham Pauley and Hernández in succession before retiring Edwards on a groundout to preserve the Mets’ two-run lead. Holmes followed with a perfect sixth.
“That’s the exact outing we needed today and he really stepped up,” Alonso said. “The boys needed it, for sure.”
Jeff McNeil lined a two-out double in the sixth that gave the Mets a 3-0 lead. Alonso walked to reach base for the third time and reached second on a balk before McNeil gave the Mets their second big two-out hit of the game.
Lindor added to the lead with an RBI single in the ninth after Francisco Alvarez and Tyrone Taylor singled. The Mets extended the lead to 5-0 on George Soriano’s wild pitch that allowed Taylor to score.
“We feel good, [but] not ideal, right?” Mendoza said. “We put ourselves in this position, but you go into Game 162 with a chance to clinch a playoff spot, just enjoy today and get ready for [Sunday].”
Lindor added to the lead with an RBI single in the ninth after Francisco Alvarez and Tyrone Taylor singled. The Mets extended the lead to 5-0 on George Soriano’s wild pitch that allowed Taylor to score.
“We feel good, [but] not ideal, right?” Mendoza said. “We put ourselves in this position, but you go into Game 162 with a chance to clinch a playoff spot, just enjoy today and get ready for [Sunday].”
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