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          New York Mets

          Rapid Reaction: Mets 8, Marlins 6

          • Adam Rubin, ESPN Staff WriterSep 2, 2014, 10:20 PM ET
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              Adam Rubin has covered the Mets since 2003. He's a graduate of Mepham High School on Long Island and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He joined ESPNNewYork after spending 10 years at the New York Daily News.
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          MIAMI -- The New York Mets found an appropriate way to celebrate hitting coach Lamar Johnson’s 64th birthday.

          The Amazin’s produced 16 hits and beat the Miami Marlins 8-6 on Tuesday night at Marlins Park to maintain a half-game lead over the Philadelphia Phillies for fourth place in the NL East.

          Juan Lagares

          Juan Lagares

          #12 CF
          New York Mets

          2014 STATS

          • GM103

          • HR4

          • RBI44

          • R43

          • OBP.321

          • AVG.282

          Juan Lagares went 4-for-4 with a walk to establish a new career high for hits. He drove in two runs and scored three times. Lagares also stole two bases, giving him five in the past five games. He had stolen only 10 bases in his first 219 major league games before being prodded by the staff to be more daring. Lagares became the second player in Mets history to have a four-hit game that included multiple RBIs and steals (the other was Jose Reyes in 2005).

          David Wright went 3-for-4 with a sac fly, three RBIs and two doubles. He produced his first extra-base hits since Aug. 7, snapping a career-high 20-game drought. Wright had a 13-game drought without an extra-base hit earlier this season, from June 3-16.

          The captain has now driven in at least one run in three straight games after going 14 straight games without an RBI.

          Travis d'Arnaud also had three hits.

          The Mets held leads of 4-0 and 7-3. That allowed Jonathon Niese to earn the win despite surrendering a season-high-matching six runs while logging six innings. He became the first Mets pitcher to earn a win while allowing six or more runs since Chris Capuano against the Cincinnati Reds on July 28, 2011 (6 R in 5.1 IP).

          The Mets’ season high for hits remains 18, on July 8 against the Atlanta Braves.

          Heavy lifting: Despite the intent to ease up on his usage, Jeurys Familia pitched for the third straight day, and fourth time in five days. He tossed a perfect eighth to preserve a two-run lead.

          Not so hot: Curtis Granderson went 0-for-5 and is hitless in his past 18 at-bats. His average has slipped to .210.

          What’s next: Jacob deGrom (7-6, 2.94 ERA) opposes right-hander Tom Koehler (9-9, 3.79) in the series finale on Wednesday at 7:10 p.m.