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Nieuwenhuis lifts Mets over Marlins to complete sweep

Apr 26, 2012 - 11:49 PM Flushing, NY (Sports Network) - Kirk Nieuwenhuis smoked a game-winning single in the bottom of the ninth inning to lift the New York Mets over the Miami Marlins, 3-2, on Thursday.

Two batters prior to Nieuwenhuis' single, Justin Turner tied the game at 2-2 following a 13-pitch walk during which he fouled off eight pitches.

"It was tremendous at-bat," Mets manager Terry Collins said of Turner's battle against Bell.

Ramon Ramirez (2-1) picked up the win after working a scoreless eighth and ninth for the Mets, who swept the three-game set.

Heath Bell (0-3) threw 46 pitches and walked four batters in the ninth frame en route to his third blown save in five opportunities.

Gaby Sanchez smacked a solo homer for the Marlins, who went 0-5 on their road trip while scoring just six runs.

"This road trip was very bad," Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen said. "We have to throw more strikes and get more hits. That's the only way I can describe it."

In his return to New York, Jose Reyes went 1-for-12 during the series. In fact, the trio of Reyes, Emilio Bonifacio and Hanley Ramirez went a combined 4-for-58 on Miami's road trip.

Nieuwenhuis led off the opening frame with his first career triple. He drove the ball deep into the right-center field gap, which hit off the glove of Giancarlo Stanton along the warning track. Ruben Tejada then brought him home with a sacrifice fly to right.

The Marlins, though, led 2-1 after plating a run apiece in the third and fifth.

Sanchez launched a towering solo home run to left field in the third to tie the game at 1-1. Omar Infante led off the fifth with a double and Stanton followed with a single. Sanchez then grounded into a 4-6-3 double play, which plated Infante.

Bell, who blew just five saves a year ago, walked David Wright to begin the final inning. After Lucas Duda grounded out, Bell walked Ike Davis, Josh Thole and Turner in succession.

With the bases loaded and one out, Scott Hairston grounded into a force at home to keep the game tied, but Nieuwenhuis singled over the head of Stanton to end the ball game.

The Mets were 0-for-15 with the bases loaded this season prior to Nieuwenhuis' base hit.

Game Notes

Jonathon Niese allowed two runs on four hits while fanning six in a seven- inning start for New York...Ricky Nolasco gave up a run on five hits and one walk in seven innings for Miami.