Throughout the last week, it’s been the New York Mets who’ve come from behind and used late-game theatrics to win ball games. However, in Game 2 of the National League Division Series, the Philadelphia Phillies tied the best-of-five series, giving the NL East rival a taste of their own medicine in a 7-6 victory.
Here are three takeaways from a wild one in Philly.
Phillies offense finally wakes up, turning the tables on Mets
After combining to go 2-of-17 with four strikeouts in Game 1, the Phillies two through five hitters finished 8-of-12 with six RBI, three walks and two home runs on Sunday. Most importantly, the offense responded in big moments, coming back from two deficits and a game-tying home run in the top of the ninth to win.
The Phillies fell behind 3-0 early, but Bryce Harper and Nick Castellanos hit back-to-back home runs to tie the game in the sixth inning. Then, following a Brandon Nimmo solo shot in the seventh inning, which pulled the Mets ahead again, 4-3, the Phillies bats countered, scoring three in the bottom of the eighth inning, capped off by a two-run Bryson Stott triple, to take a 6-4 lead.
Finally, in the bottom of the ninth inning, after a Mark Vientos two-run home run had knotted the score at 6-6, Castellanos hit a two-out walk-off single, helping the Phillies equal the series at a game apiece.
Phillies offense bailed out a struggling bullpen and poor managerial decisions
If not for their offense coming up big several times in Game 2, the Phillies would be heading to Flushing down in the series 0-2 to the Mets. But they were able to overcome another poor outing from their bullpen and curious decisions from manager Rob Thomson.
Phillies relievers allowed six hits and four earned runs over four innings of work, while three of five gave up long balls. Meanwhile, for the series, Philadelphia’s pen has given up 10 earned runs over six innings.
Thomson’s baffling choices didn’t help matters.
In the sixth Thomson pulled starter Cristopher Sanchez in favor of Jose Ruiz, arguably the Phillies sixth man in the pen, who immediately gave up a solo home run to Pete Alonso. In the ninth, having already used closer Carlos Estevez, he was forced to put in lefty Matt Strahm, who allowed game-tying two-run shot to right-hander Mark Vientos in the ninth inning.
Walks killed the Mets, wasting another impressive offensive effort
The Mets scored six runs and hit four home runs, three of which either tied the game or gave New York the lead. However, the Mets bullpen dropped the ball down the stretch, with walks being one of the biggest culprits.
With the Mets up 4-3 in the eighth inning, closer Edwin Diaz, who’d entered in to close out the seventh inning, walked Bryce Harper with one out, and a single, triple and fielder’s choice later, the Phillies had a 6-4 advantage.
In the ninth inning of a 6-6 game, Tylor Megill recorded two outs before giving up back-to-back free passes to Trea Turner and Harper, opening the door for Nick Castellanos’ late-game heroics.
Manager Carlos Mendoza may get the side-eye for bringing Diaz into a non-closing situation. But, if the hard-throwing right-hander comes through, Megill would’ve faced the Phillies five through seven hitters, who were a combined 1-of-8 through seven innings, instead of the top of the order.