MIAMI -- Before Wednesdays game, Mets manager Terry Collins joined other spectators to watch the funeral motorcade for Jose Fernandez outside Marlins Park.After the game, Collins crossed the field to give Miami manager Don Mattingly one last hug of consolation.In between, Collins team took care of business.Jay Bruce hit his 32nd home run, James Loney also homered and the Mets helped their NL wild-card chances by beating grieving Miami 5-2.The Mets lost the opener of the surreal series but took the final two games as the Marlins mourned Fernandezs death.We made as much a tribute to Jose as we could without getting overboard with it, Collins said. We had games to play that are very meaningful to us. I thought the guys after Monday night realized that we had to go out and play. We had some great at bats the last couple of nights.New York opened a 1 1/2-game lead over San Francisco for the NLs top wild card, with St. Louis one game behind the Giants. The Mets conclude the regular season with three games at Philadelphia starting Friday.If we win, we will be fine, Bruce said. We cant worry about what everyone else is doing. Just play baseball, and weve been doing a good job of it.The Marlins loss in their home finale eliminated them from playoff contention. Despite high hopes this year, they still havent been to the postseason since 2003.That was the last thing on their minds five hours before first pitch. They wore T-shirts reading RIP while clustering around the limousine carrying Fernandezs casket to church for a viewing.You felt like you were pushing off your brother, Marlins pitcher Mike Dunn said.Sympathetic as they are, the Mets are also in a tight wild-card race. Loney hit a two-run homer in the second, and Bruce added a two-run homer in the fifth off Jose Urena (4-9). Curtis Granderson went 4 for 4, and Jose Reyes doubled home a run.Seth Lugo (5-2) went 5 1/3 innings and allowed two runs, both on Martin Prados eighth homer.Four relievers completed a seven-hitter, and Jeurys Familia pitched a perfect ninth for his 50th save -- with Fernandez on his mind.His passing left us in a state of shock, Familia said in Spanish. It was very painful playing this series, but at the same time, we wanted to dedicate these games to him.RECORDSThe Mets finished 12-7 against Miami. The Marlins finished 40-40 at home.PITCHING PLANSAs the Mets chase one of the two wild-card berths, Collins is already weighing potential pitching decisions on the final day of the regular season Sunday, when Noah Syndergaard is scheduled to start.If you wake up Sunday morning and say, `OK, were in, but we dont necessarily have home-field advantage, do we use Syndergaard? Collins asked. Or do we say, `Hes going to pitch the first playoff game, no matter where its at?If the Mets have clinched home-field advantage, they might start Syndergaard on Sunday and have him throw about 25 pitches to ensure hes sharp for the wild-card playoff game on Wednesday.Otherwise he goes eight days without pitching, Collins said.UP NEXTRHP Bartolo Colon (14-8, 3.42) might start Friday on short rest when the Mets open their final regular season series at Philadelphia. RHP Robert Gsellman (3-2, 2.56) is also an option, but Colon threw only 47 pitches when he took the loss Monday against Miami.Marlins RHP Andrew Cashner (5-11, 5.13) will make his final start Friday at Washington. Bill Ranford Jersey . The No. 1-ranked Nadal tweaked his back warming up for the Australian Open final, which he lost almost four weeks ago in a major upset against Stanislas Wawrinka. His first stop after the layoff is the clay in Rio as he tests the back and tries to stay healthy for the French Open in three months. Grant Fuhr Jersey . Neymar curled home a free kick from just outside the area to put the 2014 World Cup host ahead in the 44th minute. Three minutes after the break, a simple through pass from Paulinho freed Oscar and the Chelsea star rounded goalkeeper Jung Sung-ryong to extend Brazils lead. https://www.cheapoilers.com/1125s-shawn-horcoff-jersey-oilers.html . -- The Missouri Tigers might not have a roster full of superstars. Jaroslav Pouzar Jersey . -- Lou Brocks shoulder-to-shoulder collision with Bill Freehan during the 1968 World Series and Pete Roses bruising hit on Ray Fosse in the 1970 All-Star game could become relics of baseball history, like the dead-ball era. Fake Oilers Jerseys . -- The Magic have their first victory of the new year. ATLANTA -- Atlanta Braves catcher Tyler Flowers has been reinstated from the 15-day disabled list after missing 30 games with a broken left hand.To make room for Flowers on the 25-man roster, Atlanta placed catcher A.J. Pierzynski on the disabled list with a strained left hamstring.Flowers return should help the Braves, who rrank last in the major leagues in runs and homers.dddddddddddd Flowers is hitting .341 in 41 at-bats with runners in scoring position.Anthony Recker started at catcher Wednesday against Minnesota. ' ' '