The feast or famine Mets’ offense came up big, as three times they rallied from deficits. They scored three runs in the ninth inning and then held on to win, defeating the Phillies, 10-9, to take the four-game series, three games to one.
Mark Canha was the big hero but he was not the only one. Canha hit a three-run homer in the seventh inning that tied the game, 7-7. And after nemesis Jean Segura homered in the eighth inning to give the Phillies the lead, Canha hit a two-run homer in the ninth inning to put the Mets in front for the first time all game.
In his last eight games, Canha is 11-25 with 9 RBIs and 7 XBH.
Brandon Nimmo hit a solo homer in the ninth to give the Mets a two-run lead, an insurance run that turned out to be needed.
Edwin Diaz, the only rested reliever on the team, came on for the ninth inning but the Phillies would not go quietly. They had two hits, followed by two deep balls, which brought them to within a run. Segura came up again and drew a 3-2 walk to put the tying run in scoring position. But Diaz came back to strike out the pinch-hitter and gave the Mets the improbable win. While his scoreless inning streak snapped at 21, Diaz earned his 28th save of the season.
The unsung hero in the game was newly-promoted Nate Fisher, who gave the club three scoreless innings after starter Jose Butto, who was making his MLB debut, was rocked for 7 ER in 4 IP. Without Fisher’s efforts, there wouldn’t have been the dramatic comebacks that followed.
It’s been frustrating to watch the Braves win virtually every game they play that isn’t against the Mets. But just think about how deflating it must be for Braves’ fans, knowing the Mets were going to Philadelphia and were going to pitch depth starters in three of the four games, only to watch the Mets take three of the four games.
This was the final game of the year between the two teams. The Mets’ record against the Phillies this year is 14-5. The Phillies are 20 games above .500 against the rest of baseball. They’ll be glad not to play the Mets any more in the regular season.
Had it all the way.
Ron Darling is a svengali. Not the first time he’s done something like this this season, but early in the game, maybe when it was 4-4 or 7-4 he said, this has the feel of a 10-9 game. On the nose.
Phew.
I forgot to add Diaz to that list earlier in terms of Mets pitchers with 20 inning plus scoreless streaks. All of them came to an end within the last 2 weeks.
Quite an improbable win. Can’t imagine any of saw this happening when we were down 4-0 in the blink of an eye. And a few night ago when I believed the Astros were going to do us a solid and beat the Braves, the Braves came back twice in extra innings to steal a win and keep the pressure on us. Reminded me of many comeback wins the Mets have had late in the game that we have struggled to duplicate as of late. Then comes yesterday’s marathon and another successful series win. How nice to be scoreboard watching at this point of the season versus figuring if we will finish 3rd or 4th in the division. How great that we took three out of four with a makeshift rotation with pitchers I never heard off. I recently bemoaned that I like Canha but where is the power he showed over in Oakland. Lots of heroes from yesterday. Mets hitters continue to drive up pitch count early, leading to facing less efficient bullpen arms. Braves draw the lowly Pirates tonight who have lost less games than the Braves have won. On to face the evil empire crosstown rivals tonight and have to feel good about our chances of at least a split with Max and Jake on the mound.
Gut Reaction: Canha had two clutch homeruns in this game. He is been a tough out this year, working counts and grinding at bats. He is having a better year this year than his career OPS numbers. The Mets should be happy of him signing as a free agent. He also has a career reverse split which the Mets knew when they signed him. Naquin is good player but Canha should be the primary left fielder.
Fischer was good. Butto was not. Fisher had a 3.12 ERA in AAA with 10 starts. Butto had a 4.12 ERA in AA with 20 starts.
Another series win. They have the second best record in MLB. I expect a split of the Yankees but with the two aces going for them a sweep would be sweet. LGM