Max Meyer flirts with a no-hitter, Marlins beat Mets 5-0

NEW YORK (AP) — Max Meyer carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning and the Miami Marlins salvaged the finale of a three-game series by beating the New York Mets 5-0 on Wednesday.

Matt Mervis homered and finished with three RBIs for the Marlins, who snapped the Mets’ six-game winning streak. Nick Fortes and Jonah Bride each had a run-scoring single.

The Mets hit just two balls out of the infield against Meyer (1-1) before Francisco Lindor’s single up the middle with one out in the sixth. The right-hander immediately induced Juan Soto to hit into a double play.

Soto finished 0 for 4 as his season-opening on-base streak ended at 11 games.

Meyer gave up a leadoff single to Pete Alonso in the seventh and exited after retiring Brandon Nimmo. The 6 1/3 innings tied a career high for Meyer, who walked two and struck out four.

Anthony Bender retired all five batters he faced before the Marlins scored three times in the ninth against Edwin Diaz, who gave up Bride’s single before Mervis homered to right.

Lake Bachar pitched the ninth for the Marlins, who got the final out when Dane Myers crashed face first into the center-field wall to catch a flyball from Alonso.

Mets starter Tylor Megill (2-1) allowed a pair of unearned runs in four-plus innings.

New York honored the Big East Conference champion St. John’s basketball team and its Hall of Fame coach, Rick Pitino, before the game. Red Storm forward Zuby Ejiofor threw out the ceremonial first pitch.

Brett Baty threw wide of Lindor on a potential double-play ball in the fifth, allowing Kyle Stowers to reach second. Stowers scored on Mervis’ single to break the scoreless tie.

Megill opened the game with eight straight balls and threw a season-high 90 pitches, including 56 strikes.

Both teams are off Thursday before opening three-game series on Friday. The Marlins have not announced a starter against the Washington Nationals in the first game of a six-game homestand. Mets RHP Griffin Canning (0-1, 2.79 ERA) is scheduled to start against the Athletics in Sacramento.

This story has been corrected to show that the Marlins have a six-game homestand, not 13, starting Friday.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Miami Marlins' outfielder Dane Myers catches a ball hit by New York Mets' Pete Alonso during the ninth inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

Miami Marlins' outfielder Dane Myers hits the wall after catching a flyball ball hit by New York Mets' Pete Alonso during the ninth inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza, left, takes the ball from pitcher Tylor Megill (38) during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

New York Mets' Tylor Megill pitches during the first inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

Miami Marlins shortstop Xavier Edwards, left, turns a double play on a ball hit by New York Mets' Juan Soto after forcing out New York Mets' Francisco Lindor, center, at second during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

Miami Marlins' Matt Mervis runs the bases after hitting a 2-run home run during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

Miami Marlins' Max Meyer pitches during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

Miami Marlins' Matt Mervis, right, is greeted by Jonah Bride, left, after hitting a home run in the ninth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

Miami Marlins' Max Meyer pitches during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s Emperor Naruhito and his family waved to a crowd of flag-waving New Year’s well-wishers gathered at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Friday.

Standing with his wife Masako and the rest of the royal family, he wished a happy new year to people lined up below the palace balcony, some shouting, “banzai" — Japanese for "long live.”

The annual New Year’s appearance by the emperor and his family draws huge crowds to the palace’s usually cloistered grounds in central Tokyo.

People stand in long lines, weathering the cold, for each of the five appearances during the day, as the imperial family remains relatively popular.

The emperor does not have political power but holds symbolic significance for Japan. He and his family are longtime advocates for peace, although World War II was fought in the name of Naruhito’s grandfather Hirohito.

In a statement released in advance, Naruhito noted that last year marked 80 years since the end of that war. He stressed the importance of the message of peace, given that war and strife continued in parts of the world.

“I deeply feel it’s important to continue with efforts among people for dialogue, trying to deepen mutual understanding, so we can build a world of peace,” he said in the statement.

In both the statement and comments Friday, he spoke about recent natural disasters such as earthquakes, heavy rainfall and snow, and forest fires.

In 2024, the annual appearance was canceled because of a New Year’s Day quake in the Noto Peninsula, a coastal area in central Japan, which killed hundreds of people. In 2021 and 2022, it got canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Princess Aiko, the imperial couple's only child, appeared with her parents at this year’s greeting, as did other relatives. She is at the center of a national debate about rules allowing only men to inherit to the Chrysanthemum Throne.

The presence of Naruhito’s nephew, Hisahito, also drew attention, as he now takes part in adult imperial events and is a possible heir to the throne. He is second in line after his father, the emperor’s brother.

Akihito, Naruhito’s father and emperor emeritus who abdicated in 2019, was also there with his wife Michiko, the emperor’s mother.

Yuri Kageyama is on Threads https://www.threads.net/@yurikageyama

Japan's Princess Kako and Prince Hisahito, daughter and son of Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko, greet well-wishers during a public appearance for New Year's celebrations at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Japan's Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko greet well-wishers during a public appearance for New Year's celebrations at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Japan's Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko greet well-wishers during a public appearance for New Year's celebrations at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako greet well-wishers during a public appearance for New Year's celebrations at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Japan's Emperor Naruhito greets well-wishers during a public appearance for New Year's celebrations at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)