NEW YORK -- With analytics taking over the game of baseball, it seems like speed isn¡¯t a big part of the game anymore. It was a different story on Sunday afternoon, however, as speed helped the Marlins defeat the Mets, 2-0, in 10 innings at Citi Field.

The Marlins and Mets ended up splitting the four-game series, and Miami is now four games behind Philadelphia for the third National League Wild Card spot.

¡°It¡®s an important game. We¡¯ve been talking about it. Every day is important,¡± Marlins manager Don Mattingly said. ¡°We have to have that sense of urgency. We have to be able to turn the page from [Saturday¡¯s 5-4 loss]. I was glad we were able to do that.¡±

It was a dogfight for most of the game, which was scoreless in the top of the 10th when Mattingly decided to use Billy Hamilton as the automatic runner at second base. Hamilton, who joined the active roster on July 1, is one of the fastest players in baseball and his role is to be a valuable pinch-runner in the late innings.

Hamilton¡¯s speed put a lot of pressure on the Mets. He took off for third as Tommy Hunter delivered a pitch to Jes¨²s Aguilar, and Mets catcher Tom¨¢s Nido sailed his throw into left field, which allowed Hamilton to score the go-ahead run.

¡°All I think about is scoring a run as quick as possible,¡± Hamilton said. ¡°The faster I get to third base, the easier it is for all those guys [behind] me to [drive in a run].¡±

As long as the game is close, look for Mattingly to use Hamilton as his No. 1 pinch-runner and automatic runner in extra innings.

¡°Billy has been great,¡± Mattingly said. ¡°We have been able to use him in that role. He puts pressure on the defense, no matter what it is. ¡­ He is really good at it.¡±

Miami added another run off Hunter later in the inning when Jes¨²s S¨¢nchez scored on a single by Luke Williams.

Marlins ace Sandy Alcantara and Mets right-hander Taijuan Walker found themselves in a pitchers¡¯ duel on Sunday, with both hurlers tossing seven scoreless innings. When it was over, neither figured in the decision.

Alcantara didn¡¯t have his best stuff even though he blanked the Mets. He had had a tough time throwing his slider for strikes. Pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre Jr. even felt Alcantara was a little lethargic. Stottlemyre thought Alcantara had to battle all throughout the game.

¡°It was probably one of his best performances from the standpoint where he wasn¡¯t clicking with all his stuff,¡± Mattingly said. ¡°We¡¯ve seen games where his changeup is good, slider is good, four-seam [fastball] was good, and then it¡¯s lights-out. Today, he had to fight. He didn¡¯t have all his stuff today. Him and [catcher Jacob Stallings] did a nice job of using his stuff and getting through it.¡±

Alcantara found some trouble in the sixth inning. The Mets had runners on first and second with no outs, but the ace managed to escape by getting Francisco Lindor to hit into a double play and Pete Alonso to pop out to first baseman Garrett Cooper.

¡°I don¡¯t have to worry about any situation or error with men on base because I know I can use my stuff to get out of the jam,¡± Alcantara said.

Alcantara is a rare breed these days. He has pitched at least seven innings in each of his last 12 starts dating back to May 11. It is the longest such streak by a Marlins pitcher since Carl Pavano pitched at least seven innings in 13 straight starts in 2004.

? Miami ace Alcantara joins Jazz as NL All-Star

After the game, Alcantara learned that he was named to the National League All-Star squad. It will mark the second time in his career he will play in the Midsummer Classic, which will take place on July 19 at Dodger Stadium.

¡°Second All-Star Game. I feel so happy for [myself] because they know the job I have been doing,¡± Alcantara said. ¡°I think I deserve it. I have to go there, have fun and enjoy the game.¡±