MLB

Valdespin’s 3-run, pinch-hit homer helps Mets end six-game skid

HERO’S WELCOME: Jordany Valdespin is congratulated after his three-run, pinch-hit homer gives the Mets a sixth-inning lead in their 7-6 win over the Marlins. (AP)

MIAMI — In case of emergency, break glass and reach for Jordany Valdespin.

The Mets went that route yesterday and watched the flamboyant utilityman again deliver the kind of hit that has defined his short major league career. This one, a pinch-hit, three-run homer in the sixth inning, put the Mets ahead and helped them snap a six-game losing streak with a 7-6 victory over the Marlins.

After two straight walkoff losses, the Mets (11-15) showed fortitude late. LaTroy Hawkins and Scott Rice pitched a scoreless eighth before Bobby Parnell — upset a night earlier he wasn’t used in the ninth inning — earned his third save in five chances.

Rice recorded a pivotal out by retiring Juan Pierre with the tying run at third base and two outs in the eighth.

But it wouldn’t have gotten to that point for the Mets without Valdespin’s heroics. The Mets had already scored a run in the sixth to pull within 4-2 with two runners on base when Valdespin cleared the right-field fence against A.J. Ramos for his sixth career pinch-hit homer.

“I’m ready for any situation they want, so just give me the chance,” said Valdespin, who hit a grand slam in the 10th inning to beat the Dodgers at Citi Field seven days earlier. “If they want me as a pinch-hitter, I’m ready. When they give me a chance, I get ready and do my job.”

Manager Terry Collins could certainly use another dependable bat in his everyday lineup, but is inclined to keep Valdespin in his role coming off the bench.

“Those bench players, you create the scene for them,” Collins said. “If he’s hitting third, he doesn’t come up in that situation. If he’s hitting first, he doesn’t come up there. All of a sudden here comes the eighth hitter in a big situation where here [Valdespin] is, you can put him in it.”

David Wright finished 3-for-5 with a solo homer in the fourth and John Buck delivered an important two-run double in the seventh, giving the Mets a needed cushion.

Dillon Gee (2-4) struggled, allowing four earned runs over five innings, but received new life when Valdespin homered.

“I wasn’t really pleased with anything I did today,” Gee said. “I’m happy that the team won, we needed that. But as far as I’m concerned I almost feel bad for getting a win.”

Scott Atchison allowed two unearned runs in the seventh when Lucas Duda misplayed Justin Ruggiano’s single to left that pulled the Marlins within 7-6. But the veteran righty retired the next two batters without the tying run scoring from third.

The Marlins scratched for a run against Gee in the fourth to take a 4-1 lead on Pierre’s RBI single. It came moments after center fielder Juan Lagares threw out Nick Green at the plate as he attempted to score from second.

Gee survived a rocky first inning in which he allowed three runs on two hits and two walks. Chris Valaika’s two-run double made it 3-0 after Ruggiano had delivered an RBI single.

The Mets will spend a day off in Atlanta today before opening a three-game series against the Braves tomorrow night.

“The most frustrating thing about the whole five, six or seven days is we’ve been in the games,” Collins said. “It’s not we’re getting blown out. We’re in the games. We’ve given ourselves a chance, we just haven’t been able to create any offense, and hopefully today is a start, because we’re going into a place that is pretty tough to play right now.”

mpuma@nypost.com