Hernández's walk-off grand slam against Williams gives Marlins 4-0 win, 3-game sweep of Mets

MIAMI (AP) — Heriberto Hernández hit a grand slam off Devin Williams in the ninth inning for his first big league walk-off hit, giving the Miami Marlins a 4-0 win Sunday and a three-game sweep of the New York Mets.

New York had just two runs and 11 hits in the series and has scored two runs or fewer in four straight games. The Mets (22-31), who have dropped into last place in the NL East, were shut out for the sixth time this season as they completed a 2-5 trip. They have scored one run or none in 15 games.

Juan Soto was scratched before the game because of a fever. Marcus Semien went 0 for 10 in the series, dropping his average to .214.

Miami (25-29) swept a series for the first time since its opening three games against Colorado.

Christopher Morel doubled against Williams (3-2) leading off the ninth, Javier Sanoja sacrificed, Liam Hicks walked and Xavier Edwards was intentionally walked.

Hernández took a changeup for a called strike and Williams, who had not allowed a run in his previous 10 appearance, left a changeup over the plate that Hernández hit 416 feet over the center-field wall. It was the first walk-off slam in a 4-0 win since Kansas City's Justin Maxwell in the 10th inning off Texas' Joakim Soria on Sept. 22, 2013.

Pete Fairbanks (2-2) stranded a runner at second in the ninth when Carson Benge took a called third strike.

New York rookie center fielder A.J. Ewing threw out Sanoja at the plate when he tried to score from second on Edwards’ seventh-inning single.

Mets starter Christian Scott allowed four hits in a season-high 5 2/3 innings.

After 15 relief appearances to begin the season, Miami's Tyler Phillips started and gave up two hits in 3 2/3 innings.

Miami first baseman Connor Norby left because of left elbow discomfort after Scott hit him with a 85.6 mph fastball in the fourth.

Mets: RHP Nolan McLean (2-3, 3.57) will start the opener of a home series against Cincinnati on Monday after allowing career highs of nine runs and six earned in his last start, against Washington. LHP Nick Lodolo (0-1, 7.20) starts for the Reds.

Marlins: RHP Janson Junk (2-5, 5.07) starts Monday at Toronto against RHP Trey Yesavage (2-1, 1.07)

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

Miami Marlins' Christopher Morel hits a single during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Sunday, May 24, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Miami Marlins' Javier Sanoja hits a sacrifice bunt during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Sunday, May 24, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Miami Marlins' Heriberto Hernández is doused after hitting a walk-off grand slam during the ninth inning to defeat the New York Mets in a baseball game, Sunday, May 24, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Miami Marlins' Heriberto Hernández watches after hitting a walk-off grand slam in the ninth inning to defeat the New York Mets in a baseball game, Sunday, May 24, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Miami Marlins' Heriberto Hernández is doused after hitting a walk-off grand slam during the ninth inning to defeat the New York Mets in a baseball game, Sunday, May 24, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

CONCORD, N.C. (AP) — Auto racing's biggest day became a Memorial Day weekend tribute to NASCAR racing great Kyle Busch from Indianapolis to Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Busch died Thurday at 41 after severe pneumonia progressed into sepsis, resulting in rapid and overwhelming complications, according to a statement released by his family, and his loss sent shockwaves through the motorsports world and beyond.

At the Coca-Cola 600 — a race Busch won in 2018 — NASCAR and Charlotte Motor Speedway honored the two-time Cup Series champion with a large, black No. 8 and his signature on the frontstretch grass and a photo on the videoboard.

The U.S. Army Golden Knights planned to carry Busch's flag prior during pre-race festivities following a moment of silence. Each of the 39 cars in field will carry Busch's decal. And, the speedway's public address system and the television commentators plan to go silent on the eighth lap of the race.

There may be other undisclosed tributes planned as well, per track officials.

On Saturday night, Layne Riggs celebrated his Trucks Series win at CMS by doing one of Busch's traditional bows to the crowd after the race, and Ross Chastain did the same after capturing the rain-shortened O'Reilly Auto Parts race.

NASCAR CEO Steve O'Donnell called Busch “an American badass.”

“When you think race car driver and what that person should be like, Kyle Busch is probably one of the first that comes to your mind on the type of racer he was," Cup Series driver Joey Logano said.

Fans at CMS arrived in droves with shirts to honor Busch that read “Rowdy” and “KFB.”

Earlier in the day at the Indianapolis 500, Dale Coyne Racing changed the font of Romain Grosjean's No. 18 car to replicate the font the two-time Brickyard 400 winner used during his 14 seasons with Joe Gibbs Racing in his No. 18 car.

Then came the opening prayer, in which Busch was mentioned by name. And on Lap 18, race officials lit up the scoring pylon next to pit lane with Busch's name, his birth year and 2026.

Even with the pageantry of Indianapolis' big IndyCar race, Busch, who had a record 234 victory across NASCAR’s three national series, was never far from the thoughts of people in the city that dubs itself the “Racing Capital of the World.” The father of two died Thursday at age 41 from what his family said was severe pneumonia that progressed into sepsis.

“It’s desperately sad. It’s also one of those things where you try not to think about it or let it in because you’ve got so much to do, you can’t let yourself get emotional,” Katherine Legge said Friday after returning to Indianapolis Motor Speedway. “But honestly, racing has lost one of the greatest drivers, in my opinion, of all time. If you look back at the history and just — he was a legend.”

As Indy held its biggest race of the year, those who knew or competed against Busch raced with a heavy heart.

“How can you not be in shock over the situation?” two-time Indy winner Josef Newgarden said Friday. “I think it just puts into perspective how fragile life is. You just don’t know. Makes me think of his kids, to be honest with you. Gosh, I feel terrible about — I have two sons now. That’s the thing that breaks my heart.”

AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing

A decal is displayed on Denny Hamlin's car in honor of late driver Kyle Busch prior to a NASCAR Cup Series auto race, Sunday, May 24, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Matt Kelley)

Helicopters fly over the field on the parade lap before the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Sunday, May 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

A decal is displayed on the on the truck of Andres Perez De Lara in honor of the late driver Kyle Busch, Friday, May 22, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Matt Kelley)

Fighter jets fly over the Indianapolis Motor Speedway during ceremonies before the start of the Indianapolis 500 auto race, Sunday, May 24, 2026 in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)

FILE - Kurt Busch waits in his car before practice for Sunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup series Coca-Cola 600 auto race at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., Saturday, May 25, 2013. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn, File, File) CORRECTION: Driver ID corrected to Kurt Busch, not Kyle Busch.