<p>NEW YORK — Jeff McNeil launched a tying homer in the bottom of the ninth inning on his 29th birthday and the New York Mets were handed the winning run on a disputed hit by pitch for a 3-2 victory Thursday over the Miami Marlins in front of the first crowd at Citi Field in 557 days.</p>
<p>With the bases loaded and one out, a scuffling Michael Conforto appeared to stick out his right elbow pad just enough to get it grazed by a 1-2 breaking ball from closer Anthony Bass that looked to be in the strike zone.</p>
<p>Plate umpire and crew chief Ron Kulpa ruled Conforto was hit by the pitch, and he headed toward first base as Luis Guillorme scored as the Mets celebrated a bizarre comeback win in their home opener.</p>
<p>Marlins players and manager Don Mattingly argued with Kulpa before a replay review was initiated. The review lasted 58 seconds, and the call was upheld.</p>
<p>According to baseball rules, if a batter is hit by a pitch in the strike zone, the pitch is a strike. </p>
<p>Whether a pitch hits a batter is subject to video review, but whether a ball hits a batter in or outside the strike zone is an umpire judgment call not subject to video review.</p>
<p>Mattingly said the umps told him whether the ball that hit Conforto was in the strike zone couldn’t be reviewed — only whether Conforto was plunked.</p>
