Aug 13, 2016; New York City, NY, USA; New York Mets second baseman Neil Walker (20) hits an RBI single against the San Diego Padres during the first inning at Citi Field. Photo Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
NEW YORK — Neil Walker raced home from third base on a grounder to second by Wilmer Flores in the 11th inning Saturday night to lift the New York Mets to a 3-2 victory over the San Diego Padres at Citi Field.
The Mets (58-58) snapped a four-game losing streak by winning for only the second time in their last eight games and the 11th time in the last 31. New York is 2 1/2 games behind the St. Louis Cardinals in the race for the second wild card in the National League.
The Padres (50-66) have lost six of 10.
Walker led off the 11th with a single against Brandon Maurer (0-3). Jay Bruce flew out to the warning track in right field before James Loney blooped a single to left as Walker advanced to third.
Flores hit a broken bat grounder to second. Instead of trying to complete the double play, Ryan Schimpf fired home, but his throw sailed to the third base side of catcher Christian Bethancourt.
Right-hander Gabriel Ynoa, promoted from Triple-A Las Vegas earlier in the day, threw a perfect 11th inning to earn the win in his major league debut.
Wil Myers tied the game for the Padres in the top of the ninth with a two-out solo homer against Jeurys Familia.
Mets right-hander Jacob deGrom. who allowed one run on three hits and one walk while striking out nine over seven innings, was in line for the win before Myers’ homer.
The right-hander, who has given up one run or fewer in six of his last eight starts, didn’t allow a hit until the fifth, when Schimpf’s one-out single snapped a streak of 10 2/3 hitless innings for the Padres. The final 19 San Diego batters were retired in order in New York’s 8-6 win Friday night.
DeGrom carried a 1-0 shutout into the seventh, when Yangervis Solarte hit a two-out homer.
Walker had an RBI single in the first and Kelly Johnson lofted a pinch-hit sacrifice fly in the seventh inning for the Mets. Flores finished 3-for-5.
Padres starter Jarred Cosart allowed one run on three hits and two walks while striking out two over six innings.
NOTES: The Mets activated INF Jose Reyes from the 15-day disabled list and recalled RHP Gabriel Ynoa from Triple-A Las Vegas. In corresponding moves, INF Matt Reynolds and RHP Logan Verrett were optioned to Las Vegas. … Mets OF Yoenis Cespedes (right quad) is scheduled to play in rehab games for Class-A St. Lucie on Monday and Tuesday before returning to the majors on Friday. … The Padres purchased the contract of RHP Brandon Morrow from Triple-A El Paso and optioned LHP Buddy Baumann to the same affiliate. To make room for Morrow on the 40-man roster, INF Cory Spangenberg (left quadriceps) was transferred to the 60-day disabled list. … LHP Clayton Richard will make his first start for the Padres on Sunday as San Diego begins employing a six-man rotation during a stretch of 16 games in as many days.
