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Wagner suffers rare blown save as Mets fall to Marlins

Aug 11, 2007 - 3:24 AM By Doug Mittler PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

FLUSHING, New York (Ticker) -- Billy Wagner has been next to automatic for the New York Mets this season. But that did not make Friday's blown save any easier to take.

Hanley Ramirez belted a two-run double off Wagner in the ninth inning as the Florida Marlins rallied for a 4-3 victory over the Mets in the opener of a three-game series on Friday.

The Marlins defeated the Mets for just the third time in nine meetings this season, and they did it by using a pair of pitchers making their major league debut and rallying against a closer who had converted 26 of his first 27 save opportunities this season.

"Any loss stinks," Wagner said. "You've got to win this game. No doubt about it."

Miguel Olivo singled to open the ninth and pinch hitter Jason Wood walked with one out. Ramirez, who leads the National League in hitting at .342, then drilled a 1-2 pitch over the head of Carlos Beltran in center field, plating two runs and giving Florida a 4-3 lead.

"I like the pressure moments," said Ramirez, who was not interested in Wagner's success. "You can't pay attention to that. You just have to go out and be confident."

Wagner (1-1) had worked out of a bases-loaded, no-out jam in a 4-3 win over the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday but was not as unfortunate on Friday.

"It's unusual. Billy's been outstanding for us all year," Mets manager Willie Randolph said. "I wish he hadn't thrown a fastball there."

Wagner had converted his previous 13 save opportunities and pitched 21 consecutive innings since being charged with a run on June 15.

"It was one of those nights where I didn't make my pitches," Wagner said.

Matt Lindstrom (2-3) tossed a scoreless eighth and Kevin Gregg worked a perfect ninth to record his 25th save in 28 chances.

The blown save by Wagner put a damper on a solid start by Brian Lawrence in his home debut. The righthander allowed two runs and eight hits in six innings, leaving with a 3-2 lead.

The Mets had that advantage thanks to a three-run homer in the fifth by Beltran, who was activated from the disabled list prior to the game after being out since July 24 with a strained oblique muscle.

"Even though we lost, I'm happy to be back," Beltran said.

New York put runners on base in each of the first four innings against rookie Daniel Barone, who was making his major league debut, before breaking through in the fifth.

With the Mets trailing, 2-0, Jose Reyes reached on a throwing error by second baseman Dan Uggla and former Marlin Luis Castillo dropped a bunt single toward third base.

Beltran followed by belting a 2-1 pitch over the right-center field wal for his 20th homer.

"I wasn't looking for anything," Beltran said. "I was just trying to feel good at the plate."

Called up from Class AAA Albuquerque before the game, Barone lasted 4 2/3 innings, allowing three runs - two earned - and five hits with four walks.

"Once I threw the first pitch, I was fine," Barone said. "It was a dream. It hasn't really hit me yet."

The 24-year-old righthander was the second Marlins pitcher to make his major league debut as a starter this season, joining Rick VandenHurk.

Ross Wolf, also making his major league debut, replaced Barone and recorded the final out of the fifth.

The Marlins took a 2-0 lead, scoring runs in each of the first two innings. Ramirez singled to open the game, stole second and third and scored on a single by Josh Willingham.

It was an outstanding night for Ramirez, who collected a career-high three stolen bases. Florida doubled its lead in the second on consecutive singles by Mike Jacobs, Olivo and Hermida. It had a chance to add more, but Miguel Cabrera grounded out on a check swing with the bases loaded.

Paul Lo Duca had two hits for New York (64-51), which saw its lead in the National League East Division over Philadelphia (61-54) shrink to three games.