Mets pitchers allowed three home runs as they fell to the Marlins 8-4 to start the second half. >> Box score

Five things to know from Friday's game

1) Jason Vargas' night got off to a strong start, as he retired the first six batters he faced. The lefty got into trouble in the third, though, after the Mets had just given him a 2-0 lead. Jorge Alfaro singled and stole second to start the inning, and he came around to score on a Miguel Rojas sac fly. Then, another former Met struck again, as Curtis Granderson lofted a two-run home run to give the Marlins the 3-2 lead. The next batter, Garrett Cooper, homered as well, staking the Marlins to a 4-3 lead. Vargas ended up going five innings for the Mets, allowing six earned runs.

2) Wilson Ramos provided the Mets with some early offense. The Mets worked a two-out rally to load the bases, when Ramos, batting in the clean-up spot, singled on the ground to the left side to score two runs. His single gave the Mets an early lead, but it would not hold up.

3) Jeff McNeil picked up right where he left off before the All-Star break. The NL's leading hitter singled and scored on Ramos' RBI hit. His 1-4 night at the plate has his season batting average sitting at .348.

4) The Mets were hoping the All-Star break would be a good for their struggling bullpen, but things didn't get off on the right foot. After Vargas was pulled form the game with no outs and a runner on second in the sixth inning, Robert Gsellman allowed a two-run home run to the first batter he faced out of the pen, Brian Anderson. Chris Mazza allowed another run, though he gave the Mets 1.2 innings.

5) The Mets went hitless from the fourth inning through the eighth, until Todd Frazier launched a two-run homer in the top of the ninth inning. Frazier's 12th homer of the year brought the Mets within four, but that's as close as they would get.

Video: Vargas, Callaway react to 8-4 Mets loss to Miami

Highlights

Video: Ramos gives Mets 2-run lead in 3rd inning vs. Miami

What's next

The Mets and Marlins continue their three-game set on Saturday at 6:10 p.m. at Marlins Park. Noah Syndergaard (6-4, 4.68 ERA) will look to rebound from a shaky first half against Marlins righty Zac Gallen (0-1, 4.50 ERA).

Popular in the Community