NEW YORK (AP) Bryan De La Cruz homered and drove in four runs, and the Miami Marlins stole five bases in a 7-2 win Sunday over a struggling Carlos Carrasco and the New York Mets.

De La Cruz hit a three-run homer on an 0-2 pitch from Carrasco (0-2) in the first inning and added a sacrifice fly in the seventh. Garrett Cooper had a two-run shot for the Marlins, who avoided a three-game sweep.

Miami improved to 17-28 against the Mets since the start of the 2021 season, including 2-5 this year. The teams don’t meet again until Sept. 18.

“I don’t think we’ve had the best track record lately against them the last few years,” Cooper said. “Just to get one was big for us today.”

Miami, which led the National League with 122 steals last year, entered Sunday with only two this season but went 5 for 5 against Mets rookie catcher Francisco Álvarez in his second major league start behind the plate.

Álvarez also sailed a throw into center field for New York's first error in 10 games this season.

“I have to look at it. I’m not so sure that they weren’t on the pitchers, most of them,” Mets manager Buck Showalter said. “You give him a chance, he’ll throw out the people he’s supposed to throw out.”

Jazz Chisholm Jr. had two hits, two runs, two steals and an RBI before being ejected in the seventh for arguing with plate umpire Jeff Nelson.

“We haven’t been getting on base when it’s around the time to steal - like early in the game or when the game’s still close,” Chisholm said. “So right now, we’re just trying to play the game the right way. And when we get on base and it’s time to steal, we’ll be running.”

Álvarez, the Mets’ top prospect, went 1 for 4 with an RBI single in his season debut. Pete Alonso also had an RBI single for New York, which stranded 10 runners.

Tanner Scott (1-1), the second of five Marlins pitchers, earned the win by working 1 1/3 hitless innings.

Miami starter Braxton Garrett allowed nine hits but just two runs in 4 2/3 innings in his first start of the season.

“He didn’t have many pitches to work with entering the game, just coming out of the bullpen for the first week,” Marlins manager Skip Schumaker said. “He did what he could to help us win that game today.”

Carrasco gave up six runs in 4 2/3 innings and has an 11.42 ERA through two starts. He ended last season by yielding nine runs over 11 innings in his final three starts.

“I think command of counts and a feel for the split - he just hasn’t got a real good grasp of where it’s going to be,” Showalter said. “He’ll be better.”

SEE YOU LATER

Schumaker said he had a clear message for Chisholm after the leadoff hitter was tossed for arguing a called third strike leading off the seventh.

“Stay in the game,” Schumaker said. “Let me get kicked out.”

Chisholm and Nelson also exchanged words when Chisholm flipped his bat thinking he’d coaxed a walk on consecutive pitches during his at-bat in the third. Chisholm said he regretted the ejection, which happened three innings after right fielder Avisaíl García left the game with a sore left hamstring.

“I just can’t get thrown out right there,” Chisholm said. “I’m already having a great game. Avi got hurt. So I should be able to stay in the game, not get flustered, not let my emotions get the best of me.”

TRAINER’S ROOM

Marlins: García exited after flying out in the fourth. He was replaced by Jesús Sánchez. … RHP JT Chargois (back) left after getting one out in the seventh.

Mets: RF Starling Marte exited with a strained neck in the second, one inning after he was injured stealing third base. Marte was shaken up after sliding headfirst into Jean Segura’s knee.

UP NEXT

Marlins: RHP Sandy Alcantara (1-0, 1.84 ERA) opens a three-game series Monday night in Philadelphia. The reigning NL Cy Young Award winner authored the first complete game in the majors this season, a three-hitter last Tuesday in a 1-0 win over Minnesota.

Mets: RHP Max Scherzer (1-1, 6.35 ERA) starts the opener of a three-game series against visiting San Diego, the first meeting between the teams since the Padres eliminated the Mets from the playoffs in the wild-card round at Citi Field last year. Scherzer will pitch at home for the first time since losing Game 1 of that series, when he gave up seven runs in 4 2/3 innings.

Yu Darvish starts for the Padres. He allowed one run over seven innings in winning the 2022 playoff opener and is 5-0 with a 2.56 ERA in eight career regular-season starts against New York.

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