Mets rally to defeat the Marlins, 7-6

NEW YORK -- Endy Chavez hit his first home run in over a year to tie the score in the bottom of the ninth inning and Fernando Tatis, who sat out two seasons trying to figure out if he could still play this game, delivered a two-run double for the New York Mets in the bottom of the 12th Wednesday night for an exhilarating 7-6 victory over the Florida Marlins.

It was the first time this season that the Mets had won a game in which they trailed after eight innings and the comeback left beleaguered Manager Willie Randolph suitably excited.

“What a great ball game,” Randolph said. “Hopefully that’s the one that kick starts us.”

With his team staggering and beat up by injuries, Randolph was grateful to get help from anybody after three Marlins home runs, two of them by Cody Ross, left the Mets trailing 5-4 as they came to bat in the ninth. Chavez, a forgotten man batting only .203, got the comeback started with the first pinch-hit home run of his career leading off the ninth.

It came against Florida closer Kevin Gregg, who blew only his second save this season.