PHILADELPHIA – With a chance to win the National League East on the line, the Phillies concluded their series with the New York Mets.
Under the bright lights of Sunday Night Baseball, the Phillies could pop champagne on National television. They ultimately fell short, dropping the game and series to the Mets. A 2-1 loss would give the team a 2-5 road swing against playoff teams. It was not their best baseball this past week.
Playoff Atmosphere
Tonight’s matchup between the Phillies and Mets felt like a preview of playoff baseball. A sold-out crowd at Citi Field brought the electricity and the Phillies played the villain role to perfection.
As the Mets fight for a post-season berth, the Fightins looked to set the tone. They did just that in the top of the first inning.
With one out, Trea Turner singled up the middle to get things started. With a runner on, Trea would advance on a wild pitch from New York starter Tylor Megill. With two outs and a player in scoring position, Alec Bohm would deliver. An RBI single dropped in for a 1-0 Phillies lead. It was Bohm’s 95 run batted in on the season.
With Bohm on first, Nick Castellanos would join him. He would hit a single himself, bringing Bryson Stott to the plate. Stott would walk, loading the bases in the first inning for JT Realmuto. Although he smoked. a ball hard to center field, Realmuto would be retired to end the threat.
Mets Strike Back
Zack Wheeler didn’t make many mistakes during his outing tonight against the Mets, but when he did, they took advantage.
In the bottom of the second inning, New York would get even with Philly. After two quick outs, Mark Vientos would double off Zack to get a runner in scoring position. Tyrone Taylor would follow, sneaking a ball past Turner and Bohm to drive in Vientos. This tied the game up at one run apiece and gave life back into Citi Field.
In the bottom of the 6th with the game tied at one, Wheeler would make a good pitch, but Brandon Nimmo would make a better swing. Nimmo just put a ball over the wall in right field, giving the Mets a 2-1 lead. The ball just got deep enough to miss a great leaping robbery attempt by Nick Castellanos.
Once again, the home crowd would get loud as the momentum was in favor of New York. Nimmo’s blast proved to be the difference in the ballgame.
Wheeler’s final line for the game: 7 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 8 K, 1 HR. He was great, but his team failed to give him the run support he needed.
Phillies Stars Struggle
While Sunday’s game wasn’t the the end of the world for the Phillies, they shrunk in the moment.
Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper combined to go 0-8 with 5 strikeouts. We have seen the offense suffer when these two are not contributing. Their effort on Sunday Night Baseball was not good enough and did not inspire confidence in fans heading into the postseason.
Late Inning Chances
In the top of the 8th inning, the top of the Phillies’ order was due up. Schwarber, Turner, and Harper had a chance to get the club back on the board and either tie or take the lead.
The Mets answered that challenge with Edwin Diaz, their closer. Diaz and the Phillies are quite familiar with each other, as the Phillies walked off Edwin less than a week ago at Citizens Bank Park. Diaz would sit down Schwarber looking to start the 8th.
Trea Turner would reach with a single and then steal second base. Bryce Harper would go down swinging, but Trea would make his way over to third base. With the tying run 90 feet away, Alec Bohm would ground out to shortstop, ending the threat.
Diaz would remain in the game for the 9th, facing Castellanos, Stott, and Realmuto.
Nick Castellanos would start the 9th inning by flying out to left field. One quick out for the Mets’ closer. Bryson Stott would earn a walk and immediately steal second base. JT Realmuto had a chance to tie the game and he is the Phillies’ best hitter against Diaz. JT would swing at a ball in the dirt, striking out. On that pitch, however, Bryson Stott would steal third. The throw down to the bag would hit the base and rather than going into the outfield, it popped right up into the air.
The Phillies did not get the break they were looking for. So with two outs, Brandon Marsh stepped to the plate. With a chance to be the hero, Marsh would earn a walk, taking his base at first. He stole second after Kody Clemens dug into the box. With runners in scoring position, Clemens would go down swinging against Edwin Diaz to end the ballgame.
Photo Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
