The Mets are getting hot at just the right part of the (regular) season. Entering their final regular season series of the season against the NL East-leading Philadelphia Phillies, it was important for them to stay ahead in the Wild Card race. They came into the series tied with the Arizona Diamondbacks for the second Wild Card spot, two games ahead of the Atlanta Braves, and 2.5 games behind the San Diego Padres for the top Wild Card. New York emerged victorious in the series, taking three of four from Philadelphia to move into a tie for the second Wild Card spot. They also prevented the Phillies from clinching the division.
The Mets made some history in this series, too. The first game of the series was the first time that the franchise scored 10 or more runs in three consecutive games. Could that be foreshadowing of destiny? If there was any Mets team that was going to achieve the feat, it is no surprise that it was this one. Every time they have been knocked down this season, they seemingly got up stronger. Whether it be the leadership from manager Carlos Mendoza, the leadership and MVP-level performance of Francisco Lindor, or the lights-out pitching staff, the Mets have answered the call all year.
On the injury front, there was not much good news for the Mets. Lindor continues to be out with his back injury. Additionally, Kodai Senga has continued his rehab. After throwing on Saturday, Senga suffered triceps tightness.
Additionally, this could have been the last regular season home games for Pete Alonso as a New York Met. Alonso, a pending free agent, is currently third on the Mets all-time home run list. If he comes back to the Mets, there is little doubt he will become the franchise’s all-time home run leader (likely in 2025). As a show of their appreciation, fans gave Alonso a standing ovation in the last home game on Sunday.
Exiting the series, the Mets still control their playoff destiny. They are ahead of the Atlanta Braves by two games, and are tied with the Arizona Diamondbacks for the second Wild Card spot. They are on the way to Atlanta for a pivotal three-game series against the Braves. The Mets then wrap up the regular season in Milwaukee against the Brewers. New York started their season against the Brewers at home, and were swept on their way to an 0-5 start to the year.
Here are the rundowns of each of the games from the Phillies series:
Game 1: Mets 10, Phillies 6
The series started out very well for New York, as they picked up right where they left off after sweeping a series against the Nationals. The Mets put 10 runs on the board for the third straight game, and that is the first time in franchise history that has occurred.
The Mets offense produced like it was batting at the more hitter-friendly Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia instead of Citi Field. They clubbed four home runs, from Brandon Nimmo (his 21st), Alonso (his 34th), Mark Vientos (his 25th), and Francisco Alvarez (his 10th). Additionally, rookie Luisangel Acuña hit his first career triple to knock in the Mets 10th run.
On the mound, Luis Severino got the start and picked up his 11th win. Over six innings and 86 pitches, he allowed three runs on five hits and two walks with seven strikeouts. Danny Young ran into some trouble in the seventh, charged with three runs in 0.1 inning. Reed Garrett gave up a double to Bryce Harper that scored two charged to Young, but retired two for 0.2 inning and was not charged with a run. Ryne Stanek pitched a scoreless eighth, before turning it over to Edwin Diaz for a scoreless ninth to finish it off.
For Philadelphia, Trea Turner hit his 19th home run of the year, driving in two runs. Harper also drove in two, while Kyle Schwarber and Brandon Marsh drove in the other Phillies runs. Philadelphia struck out 12 times against Mets pitching.
On the mound, former Met Taijuan Walker got the start for Philadelphia. Over 3.1 innings and 71 pitches, he surrendered eight runs on six hits and three walks with two strikeouts. Jose Ruiz went the next 0.2 inning, charged with one run. Kolby Allard threw two scoreless innings, then Jose Alvarado pitched the seventh and allowed a run. Tanner Banks pitched a scoreless eighth.
Game 2: Phillies 12, Mets 2
And, just like that, the Mets came crashing back down to earth, at least for one night. In a game New York actually led 2-0, the Phillies woke up starting in the second inning and kept a steady onslaught coming throughout the game.
The Mets bats were mostly silent, and struck out 12 times. Jose Iglesias had two of the Mets four hits, including his fourth home run, and 15th double of the season. Starling Marte and Tyrone Taylor had the other Mets hits.
David Peterson, who has been masterful this season, had arguably his worst start of the season. He exited his shorting outing of the season after 3.2 innings, trailing 4-2. Arguably, Mendoza pulled him too early to put in risky reliever Adam Ottavino. Peterson’s final line over the 3.2 innings included five runs (four earned) on eight hits and no walks with five strikeouts. The loss moved his record to 9-3 and raised his ERA to 3.08. Ottavino was charged with three runs in 0.1 inning. Huascar Brazoban took the next 1.1 innings, responsible for two runs. Alex Young threw the next 1.2 innings, not allowing any earned runs. Danny Young had the next inning, where he surrendered two runs. Position player Eddy Alvarez pitched a scoreless ninth.
For the Phillies, every batter had at least one hit. Alec Bohm, in fact, had four with four RBIs including a three-run home run. J.T. Realmuto had two hits, including a two-run homer. Nick Castellanos and Johan Rojas each had two RBIs as well. The other two Philadelphia runs were driven in by Turner and Edmundo Sosa.
Starting for the Phillies was Cristopher Sanchez. He went five innings and 98 pitches, allowing two runs on three hits and five walks with seven strikeouts. Following Sanchez were consecutive scoreless innings from Orion Kerkering, Matt Strahm, Tyler Gilbert, and Jeff Hoffman.
Game 3: Mets 6, Phillies 3
The seesaw of the series continued, with the Mets rebounding and taking the third game. New York prevented the Phillies from clinching the NL East, at least for now, by supporting another strong start from Sean Manaea with a three-run seventh inning to take the lead.
Iglesias had another multi-hit game, delivering two hits in five at-bats, including a double. Alvarez had two hits, inclusive of a double and his 11th home run. Acuña also had a double and home run. Alvarez drove in three runs, with one run each driven in by Alonso, Nimmo, and Acuña.
The Mets pitchers did not walk anyone. Manaea went seven innings, allowing three runs on three hits with six strikeouts. Garrett pitched 0.2 inning of scoreless relief before Diaz came in for a four out save. It was Diaz’s 19th save of the season.
For Philadelphia, Schwarber led off the game with his 36th home run of the season. Castellanos also delivered a solo shot, and the other Phillies run came on an eighth inning fielder’s choice.
Ranger Suarez started for the Phillies. Over five innings, he allowed two runs on five hits with three walks and four strikeouts. Ruiz pitched a scoreless inning, followed by Kerkering, who went 0.2 innings and was charged with three runs. Alvarado went the next 0.1 inning, and Banks went the final inning, allowing a run.
Game 4: Mets 2, Phillies 1
An electric Mets crowd was treated to a playoff-like game, with Tylor Megill and former Met Zack Wheeler both pitching great. Nimmo provided heroics at the plate with a go-ahead home run in the sixth, and Diaz went two innings to earn stressful save.
For Nimmo, it was his 22nd home run of the season, but it is hard to argue that any were as impactful. Iglesias and Taylor had two hits each. Vientos, with his 22nd double of the year, and Acuña provided the other Mets hits. One of Taylor’s hits drove in the first run for the Mets in the second inning.
On the mound, Megill went four innings of one-run ball, throwing 83 pitches over that span. He allowed a run on four hits, with two walks and six strikeouts. Phil Maton pitched the next two innings and picked up the win. Jose Butto pitched a scoreless seventh, before turning it over to Diaz. In the ninth, Diaz allowed Phillies to reach second and third base before ending it for his 20th save of the year.
At the plate for the Phillies, Castellanos and Turner had two hits each. The other Philadelphia hit was a single by Bohm in the top of the first that plated the first, and only, Phillies run. Bohm’s hit was the only with runners in scoring position for the Phillies, in nine at-bats.
Wheeler was masterful on the mound. He pitched seven innings, allowing two runs on seven hits and a walk with eight strikeouts . Strahm came on to pitch a scoreless eighth.
Photo Credit; Rising Apple
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