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Mark Canha powers the offense, Tylor Megill earns the win as Mets beat Marlins 6-2

MIAMI — Mark Canha made a secret tweak. He won’t reveal it, but it wasn’t anything major.

“It was something that was this big,” the Mets’ outfielder said, holding up two fingers less than an inch apart.

It was a small adjustment that paid big dividends.

One night after the Mets had a dismal offensive showing against the Miami Marlins, they answered some questions to move to 2-1 on the season.

Canha had a home run, a double, an RBI single, a walk and three runs scored and Omar Narvaez went 2-for-3 with two RBI to beat the Marlins 6-2 on Saturday at LoanDepot Park. Right-hander Tylor Megill went five innings to earn the win in place of Justin Verlander and the Mets played stellar defense behind him.

“Big,” manager Buck Showalter said. “He did a lot of things well today, but Mark does every day. He’s just such a consistent human being. He’s a guy [that] when you’re going through lineups, you want to figure out a way to fit him in there if you can.”

Pete Alonso made a fantastic play at first base in the seventh and Francisco Lindor made the play of the game in the sixth inning, showcasing elite range and a strong arm to save two runs.

The narrative that the Mets can’t hit left-handed pitching reemerged Friday night after a 2-1 loss at the hands of the Marlins and lefty Jesus Luzardo. Four runs off of relievers Andrew Nardi and Braxton Garrett don’t exactly put that narrative to rest but it helps alleviate it.

Canha took Garrett 403 feet to the bar in left-center in the seventh inning with two outs. It was almost a two-run home run since Pete Alonso appeared to beat out Jean Segura’s throw to lead off the inning. Replays appeared to show first baseman Garrett Cooper’s foot off the bag and the Mets challenged the play, but it was upheld after reviews.

“In their mind, not enough to overturn it,” Showalter said.

Canha came into spring training with the goal of hitting more home runs and hitting for more power. He trained in the offseason to be able to produce with power and Showalter said he’s been working tirelessly in the cages to achieve that goal.

Getting his first home run of the season just three games in was somewhat rewarding for the outfielder.

“It took me a long time to get my first one last year,” Canha said. “It’s nice to get the first one out of the way early. It’s kind of a monkey off the back. Now I can just play.”

With the game tied at 2-2 in the fifth and Nardi on to relieve Edward Cabrera (0-1), Jeff McNeil doubled down the left-field line to lead off the inning. He got a little help from Segura, who deflected the ball with his glove, but the Marlins were too slow to challenge the play. Alonso then doubled through the left gap to score McNeil and give the Mets a lead and Canha drove him home.

Lindor’s play came in the next frame when the Marlins had two on and two out. Bryan De La Cruz sent a hard grounder between second and third base. Lindor made the stop at the edge of the grass and nailed De La Cruz with a long throw to first base in time to make the out.

It was the last batter Megill faced. He came out after allowing two earned runs on six hits. He also walked two and struck out seven.

“Lindor making great plays all day today and in the series so far,” Megill said. “I gave him a big hug when the game was over.”

The control issues that plagued the big righty in spring training returned Saturday night early in the outing. Megill was using his offspeed pitches, including a revamped slider, early in the count and trying to finish off with his fastball. Nick Fortes got ahold of one in the second inning and took it over the fence for a two-run homer.

But Megill found his fastball command later in the outing and settled.

“I still yanked a few today, that was just trying to work too hard to throw it to that spot,” Megill said. “But for the most part, it seems like I got a lot more feel for the fastball.”

Starling Marte’s pinch-hit double scored Alonso in the ninth, giving the Mets an insurance run.

Dennis Santana, Drew Smith, Brooks Raley, Adam Ottavino and David Robertson tossed scoreless innings to secure the win.

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Source: Berkshire mont

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