The Miami Marlins' late-inning lead didn't last long, which can happen when you're playing the fastest game in the majors in almost three years.
Miami broke a scoreless tie in the eighth, but closer Steve Cishek gave up a three-run homer to Daniel Murphy in the ninth, and the New York Mets snapped the Marlins' five-game winning streak with a 3-1 victory Monday night.
The Mets (15-5) have the best record in the majors and improved to 5-0 against Miami, including a sweep of a four-game series at Citi Field.
Miami starter Jarred Cosart matched zeros with Dillon Gee by allowing only two hits in eight innings. But Cishek (0-1) blew a save for the second time in three chances this year.
"It's tough, especially since the Mets swept us last series," Cishek said. "We really wanted to stick it to them, and this falls on me."
The Marlins grabbed their brief lead with three consecutive two-out singles in the eighth, breaking up Gee's shutout bid in a game that took only 1 hour, 58 minutes.
It was the fastest nine-inning game in the majors since the Padres and Astros also finished in 1:58 on June 27, 2012, according to STATS.
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Juan Lagares doubled to start the ninth when his long drive was misjudged by center fielder Marcell Ozuna.
"I thought the ball was going to be a bloop," Ozuna said. "I started running back, and it went over my head."
"We gave them an extra out, and it cost us," Marlins manager Mike Redmond said.
Lucas Duda walked, and following a flyout, Murphy hit his second homer.
"We thought we might sneak out of here with the win," Redmond said. "They got some big hits and a break. That's it."
Carlos Torres (1-0) retired Giancarlo Stanton on a popup with two on to end the eighth.
Jeurys Familia pitched a perfect ninth for his major league-leading ninth save in as many chances, completing a six-hitter and breaking the team record for saves in April.
Cishek, by contrast, has an ERA of 11.37.
"When you get a chance to close it out, that's what the Marlins pay me to do," he said. "I wasn't able to do that for our team, the organization, or Cosart."
PACE OF PLAY
Gee threw 24 first-pitch strikes and totaled only 70 pitches — 13 balls — in 7 2-3 innings. Cosart threw just 93 pitches.
"That's what happens when you throw strikes," Cosart said. "You establish it early, and the other team has to swing."
DEFENSIVE GEM
The Marlins have won with the help of excellent defense, and catcher J.T. Realmuto squelched a potential threat in the sixth with a terrific play. Following a walk, he made a shoestring catch of Lagares' bunt in front of the plate and threw to first to double off the runner.
Realmuto recently won the starting job by beating out Jarrod Saltalamacchia, who was designated for assignment before the game.
UP NEXT
RHP David Phelps (1-0, 3.55 ERA) will start Tuesday night for the Marlins. RHP Rafael Montero (0-1, 4.15) is scheduled to make a spot start for the Mets, giving their rotation an extra day of rest. New York manager Terry Collins said he's not looking to make any changes in the rotation, but will likely use a spot starter again at some point because the Mets want to limit ace Matt Harvey and 41-year-old Bartolo Colon to 30 starts each.
