Niese hits 2-run double, Mets tag Sanchez and beat Marlins 7-6

Niese, Mets tag Sanchez, beat Marlins 7-6

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Pitcher Jonathon Niese hit a two-run double and the New York Mets tagged Anibal Sanchez, beating the Florida Marlins 7-6 Monday.

Sanchez gave up seven runs and nine hits in 4 2-3 innings.

The Mets scored five times in the second inning on RBI singles by Gary Matthews Jr. and Henry Blanco, Niese’s double and a grounder by Angel Pagan.

Niese, who’s been competing for the fifth spot in the Mets’ rotation, struggled in the third when he allowed four runs on four hits and two walks.

The Mets were scheduled for a pair of split-squad games. Their game against Washington was rained out.