PHOENIX — Mark Vientos delivered a go-ahead double in the 10th inning after crushing a solo home run earlier, lifting the New York Mets to a 3-1 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday night.
The last-place Mets (15-23) have won four of their last five games and improved to 5-2 on a nine-game road trip, following a stretch where they lost 17 of 20 overall.
Vientos ripped a double down the left-field line on the first pitch from Kevin Ginkel (1-2), scoring automatic runner Brett Baty from second base. Carson Benge followed with an RBI double of his own to make it 3-1. Tobias Myers worked the 10th inning for his first career save, striking out Ildemaro Vargas to end the game.
Mets right-hander Nolan McLean allowed just three hits over six innings, walking one and striking out six. The 24-year-old rookie has been a bright spot for New York this season, posting a 2.78 ERA over eight starts.
Diamondbacks starter Ryne Nelson gave up two hits and a walk in 6 2/3 innings, his longest outing of the season, while striking out seven.
The Mets took a 1-0 lead in the second on Vientos’ fifth homer, but the Diamondbacks tied the game in the bottom half when Nolan Arenado went deep.
Arizona loaded the bases against Luke Weaver in the seventh, but the right-hander induced a weak grounder from Geraldo Perdomo to escape the jam. Weaver, Brooks Raley, Devin Williams (2-1), and Myers each tossed a scoreless inning in relief.
Diamondbacks top prospect Ryan Waldschmidt singled in his first big league plate appearance after pinch-hitting for Adrian Del Castillo in the eighth. Second baseman Ketel Marte was a late scratch due to illness.
Arizona has lost seven of their last eight games. The Diamondbacks will send right-hander Merrill Kelly (1-3, 9.95 ERA) to the mound Saturday, while the Mets counter with right-hander Clay Holmes (4-2, 1.69).
