Mets win! A series sweep looms on Wednesday night against the Phillies.
Tuesday in New York began with a surprise announcement: phenom Jonah Tong has been promoted to the Bigs after breezing through Double-A and Triple-A ball. He will start against the Miami Marlins on Friday night at Citi Field. It’s great news! But, wait! Tuesday brought more good news. The day ended with the Mets earning a 6-5 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies with Brandon Nimmo’s game-winning single off Phillies closer Jhoan Duran in the ninth inning.
Good vibes indeed!
After the Mets appeared to play themselves out of the NL East race by losing two of three to the Washington Nationals last week on inept pitching performances by Kodai Senga and Sean Manaea, they are playing themselves back in the race … if … they can sweep the Phillies on Wednesday night. Winning the first two games of the series has cut the Phillies’ NL East division lead to five games.
Tuesday was the type of game that can change the momentum in the standings. After struggling, Mets reliever Ryan Helsley blew another lead when Harrison Bader hit a game-tying two-run home run off him in the eighth inning, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza had Edwin Diaz out there in the eighth with the intent to keep the game tied at 5. The Mets closer did so by striking out Brandon Marsh and Trea Turner. Then, Diaz struck out Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper to start the ninth inning, and finished the inning by getting J.T. Realmuto to ground out.
To counter what Mendoza did, Phillies manager Rob Thomson summoned Duran out of the bullpen to pitch the ninth. He figured the Phillies’ trade deadline catch could keep the game tied and give the Phillies a chance to win it in extra innings with the ghost runner rule in effect. It was the only move to make. But the Mets thwarted the Phillies’ best-laid plans, ambushing Duran by hitting four straight singles.
The Mets put the ball in play rather than rely on hitting home runs to win, and that was a refreshing change. Better yet, the Phillies took their ninth straight loss at Citi Field.
It shouldn’t be surprising that the Mets found a way to win the first two games because this team had its back against the wall. To get back in the division race, the Mets have to sweep the Phillies at home, and that makes tonight’s game a high-stakes affair.
The Mets should have the edge with rookie Nolan McLean on the mound. Not only has McLean been terrific in his first two starts in the majors, but the Mets have had success against the Phillies’ starter Taijuan Walker, and the home crowd will be electric.
A sweep gives the Mets hope here. It can revitalize them with the hitters doing their part, McLean and Tong giving a boost in the rotation, and with another series (this time a four-game set) looming at Citizens Bank Park in a couple of weeks.
Of course, the Phillies are aware of the Mets’ capabilities, and they know how important it is to keep their hated rival from having hope. But, hey! Wednesday night at Citi Field is what late-season baseball is all about!
