By the time the Marlins put a ball in play Monday night, the entire lineup had batted. By the time they reached the ninth inning, they were closing out a comeback win.
Jacob deGrom struck out his first eight hitters to match a major league record before Miami finally started making contact, overcoming 16 strikeouts in all for a 6-5 victory over the Mets.
"We've been making it interesting all year," catcher Jeff Mathis said.
Adeiny Hechavarria hit a two-run single, and Mathis put Miami ahead with an RBI single that capped a three-run eighth.
Regaining their footing following a scary injury to slugger Giancarlo Stanton last week, the Marlins rallied late for the second straight day. They have won two straight on the heels of a four-game skid, and they beat the Mets for only the second time in the last nine meetings.
On a night when New York's goofy mascot, Mr. Met, wore a shaggy wig to mimic deGrom's wild haircut, the rookie finished with a career-best 13 strikeouts in seven innings. He fanned eight consecutive Marlins to begin the game, tying a mark set by Jim Deshaies of the Houston Astros against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sept. 23, 1986.
Deshaies and deGrom are the only pitchers to accomplish the feat since 1900.
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"That's about as dominating a start of a game that I've probably ever seen, and I've had some pretty good pitching," Mets manager Terry Collins said. "The location was just outstanding."
Now a Chicago Cubs broadcaster, Deshaies noted the occasion on Twitter: "Congratulations to Jacob Degrom for tying one of the most hallowed records in all of sport," he posted.
A top contender for NL Rookie of the Year, deGrom equaled Deshaies' mark by freezing Mathis with a 95 mph fastball. So all that stood between him and sole possession of a big league record was the opposing pitcher.
Marlins starter Jarred Cosart, however, hit a sharp single on a 1-0 pitch, and deGrom received a warm ovation from the Citi Field crowd of 23,027.
"I had no idea," Cosart said. "Any time you can keep the other pitcher out of the history books, it's a good thing."
Despite squandering a two-run lead, deGrom was in line to win before Miami scored three in the eighth against New York's best relievers. Jeurys Familia (2-5) gave up four straight hits, and Mathis delivered a two-out single off closer Jenrry Mejia.
"We got a couple soft hits, but at the right time, sometimes you need those," Miami manager Mike Redmond said. "Had some great at-bats, and that was a great team win."
With the bases loaded, Sam Dyson (3-1) threw a called third strike past Dilson Herrera to end the seventh. Chris Hatcher struck out two in a perfect eighth, and Steve Cishek closed for his 36th save in 40 chances.
Miami finally solved deGrom in the seventh, when Hechavarria doubled and ex-Met Jordany Valdespin looped a two-run single that tied it 2-all. Pinch-hitter Reed Johnson added a sacrifice fly.
"We never think we're out of it," Cosart said.
Dating to Aug. 23, deGrom had gone 28 innings without allowing an earned run. He has a 1.33 ERA and 34 strikeouts in four starts against the Marlins, covering 27 innings.
Casey McGehee's error at third base helped the Mets take a 5-3 lead with three unearned runs in the seventh. A.J. Ramos walked three consecutive batters to force in a run.
Wilmer Flores hit a two-run double in the first off Cosart, who wasn't happy with himself. With a towel wrapped around his left hand, the right-hander threw jabs at a pair of water coolers in the dugout.
Cosart lasted six innings and didn't permit another run.
"Things could have gone in a downward spiral," he said. "I got back in a little groove."
