MLB

Mets defeat Marlins; Wright at top of RBI list

HIGH FIVE: Daniel Murphy (left) greets David Wright, the Mets’ all-time RBI leader, after the third sacker blasted a two-run homer in the sixth inning of last night’s 5-1 win over the Marlins at Citi Field. (Bill Kostroun)

One David Wright swing produced a spectacular double whammy last night.

Not only were the Mets ahead and moving toward a second straight victory with Wright’s sixth-inning home run, but the popular third baseman was finally alone at No. 1.

Wright’s two-run homer against Mark Buehrle moved him ahead of Darryl Strawberry on the franchise’s all-time RBIs list and helped the Mets secure a 5-1 victory over the Marlins at Citi Field.

Wright got career RBIs 734 and 735 by drilling a change-up over the fence in left-center to give the Mets a 2-1 lead. He had tied Strawberry for the franchise lead at 733 RBIs seven days earlier in Atlanta.

METS-MARLINS BOX SCORE

“Hopefully my career isn’t too close to being over so I can do some pretty good things both individually and for this team,” Wright said.

“It’s one thing to go out there and play well individually, but I want to be mentioned when my Mets days are done for different reasons, with Straw and Mike [Piazza] and these guys and that’s getting to the World Series and being on these winning teams.”

Strawberry called Wright last week to congratulate him on tying the record and is expected to make an appearance during the Mets’ next homestand to help celebrate Wright’s accomplishment.

“[Wright] has persevered and worked his butt off and battled some injuries, and [the record] is just a testament to his fortitude,” winning pitcher R.A. Dickey said. “I thought it was a special night for David, and I’m glad to be a part of it.”

The Mets (10-8) seized control in the eighth, using an RBI single from Lucas Duda and Mike Baxter’s two-run double to build a cushion. But for the second straight night a dominant pitching performance carried the Mets.

Dickey (3-1) did the honors, allowing one run on three hits and one walk with seven strikeouts over seven innings for his third strong start in four appearances this season. Johan Santana allowed one run over 6 2/3 innings on Tuesday.

“I know that I had a good knuckleball and that I was going to make them hit it,” said Dickey, who threw 100 pitches — 95 of which he said were knuckleballs.

Dickey had his worst start in four years last week in Atlanta, where he struggled to grip his knuckleball in the rain and surrendered eight earned runs, including three homers, over 4 1/3 innings.

Omar Infante’s solo homer with one out in the fifth inning last night broke a scoreless tie and seemed like it might be enough to sink the scuffling Mets. That was until Wright delivered on an 0-2 pitch an inning later.

“It has been a while since I had an RBI, so it’s nice to be able to do it in that fashion and winning the game and most importantly carrying some momentum into [today],” Wright said. “It felt good to do it late in the game and give us that lead.”

Manager Terry Collins said Wright is a special player.

“Any time you come to one of the great franchises in baseball and in the short time he’s been here all of a sudden hold the RBI record, that’s pretty special,” Collins said. “That tells you exactly what kind of player he’s been, and he may put that mark out of reach pretty soon, I hope.”