Bregman hits hard in the 8th as the Astros come back from down 5 to beat the Mets 9-6

Jake Meyers hit a home run in the top of the inning and Jeremy Peña started Houston’s biggest comeback of the season with a two-run double off starter Tylor Megill in the fourth inning, followed by Jon Singleton’s RBI single.

After their seven-game winning streak was snapped Friday night in the series opener, the Astros (41-41) won for the 11th time in 15 games.

“It’s huge,” Bregman said. “Tomorrow is also a huge match, we just have to keep this momentum and keep moving forward. »

New York still led 6-4 in the eighth inning, but a strained and injury-weakened bullpen, without suspended Edwin Díaz, couldn’t hold on. Mark Vientos hit a home run for the Mets (40-40), who had won four straight and 16 of their last 20 games.

Jake Diekman and Reed Garrett (7-3) combined to walk four Houston batters in the eighth. Garrett threw a wild pitch with two outs, then gave up Bregman’s single to right field on a full pitch.

“He’s used to these big moments,” teammate Mauricio Dubón said of Bregman.

Dubon added a two-run double off Danny Young with two outs in the ninth inning. Meyers reached safely four times and scored a career-high four runs.

“I got to a point where I gave it everything I had on the field tonight, and it didn’t work out for me,” Garrett said. “I thought I did a good job of getting ahead of guys, but I couldn’t get away from them. Sometimes that’s just the way it is. It sucks.”

Seth Martinez (3-2) pitched a perfect seventh for the win after starter Framber Valdez, hurt by shoddy defense, allowed six runs and 10 hits in 4 2/3 innings.

Ryan Pressly finished the eighth inning scoreless and Josh Hader got three quick outs for his 12th save in 13 chances, tying a three-game series between the two hottest teams in baseball this month.

“We have a few studs there,” Bregman said. “When they come in with a lead, it’s nice.”

Pete Alonso’s two-run single capped a five-run second, as the Mets took advantage of Valdez’s error and two other defensive errors to open a 5-1 lead.

“This round was really challenging. It was one of those missteps that happens in the middle of the match. We wanted to try to stay afloat, try to swim and just try to keep the team in the game,” Valdez said through a translator. “This is a team that doesn’t give up.”

Vientos lined a 429-foot solo homer to center field in the third. Singing sensation Jose Iglesias had three hits for the Mets – two doubles and an RBI single in the field.

New York, which has won its previous eight home games, has hit 12 straight home runs overall.

Houston improved to 10-2 against the Mets since 2017.

Astros: Right-handed pitcher Jake Bloss (shoulder discomfort) is expected to throw in the bullpen Sunday. If all goes well, he could be a candidate to rejoin the rotation after being eligible to come off the injured list July 7. Bloss was injured in his major league debut June 21. … Right-handed pitcher Justin Verlander (neck discomfort) is feeling better and could play catch this week, Espada said. … Right-handed pitcher Luis Garcia (Tommy John surgery) woke up feeling good and is expected to make his next rehab start at another affiliate. Garcia threw 12 pitches in a perfect inning in his first rehab outing Friday in the rookie-level Florida Complex League.

Mets right-handed pitcher Luis Severino (5-2, 3.29 ERA) will pitch the series finale Sunday. He is 2-4 with a 4.93 ERA against the Astros and hasn’t beaten them since May 2018 with the Yankees.

Rookie reliever Shawn Dubin (1-1, 5.64 ERA) makes his second major league start for Houston in what will essentially be a bullpen game.

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