Mets Earn 6-5 Comeback Victory Over Philadelphia To Cap London Trip
The New York Mets answered the call in London, splitting the London Series with the Philadelphia Phillies by winning the second game 6-5. The contest, at the Premiere Leagues’s West Ham FC’s home stadium, included an extremely eventful ninth inning. The decider was a terrific double play turned by Luis Torrens after a three-run top of the ninth inning for the Mets.
Starting for New York was Jose Quintana. He was opposed by former Met starting pitcher, now with the Phillies, Taijuan Walker. Quintana had a shaky start, loading the bases in the first inning with no outs, but he was able to escape relatively unscathed (only one run allowed) thanks to an Alec Bohm double play. However, Quintana hit a large snag in the fourth inning and was ultimately replaced by Danny Young after giving up run-scoring hits to Edmundo Sosa and Whit Merrifield. This resulted in a 3-0 Phillies lead.
Quintana’s final line read 3 2/3 innings pitched, six hits, three earned runs, two walks, and one strikeout. His season-long struggles continued as his season ERA sits at 5.29.
Jeff McNeil. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Childs/Reuters via USA TODAY Sports
Walker, on the other hand, was strong until the sixth inning when the Mets’ Brandon Nimmo and J.D. Martinez drove in runs off Walker and Phillies’ reliever Gregory Soto to tie the game at three. Walker’s final line included 5 2/3 innings pitched, six strikeouts, and two earned runs via two hits.
The Mets’ bullpen performed well, allowing only one run after Quintana’s early exit. New York rallied in the top of the seventh after Jeff McNeil singled and Mark Vientos walked. However, Phillies reliever Jeff Hoffman struck out Pete Alonso to end the threat. Philadelphia’s bullpen held the Mets scoreless until the ninth inning when José Alvarado faltered.
In the top of the ninth, the Mets tied the game at 4-4 via a bases loaded infield single by Mark Vientos, scoring Tyrone Taylor. Following a series of walks and substitutions, Francisco Lindor struck out, and Pete Alonso was hit by a pitch, bringing in Jeff McNeil and putting the Mets ahead 5-4. A wild pitch that got by Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto allowed another run, making it 6-4.
The Phillies attempted a comeback in the bottom of the ninth, prompting Reed Garrett‘s exit and Drew Smith‘s entrance with two runners on. A bases-loaded walk reduced the deficit to one, but the Mets secured the win when Nick Castellanos grounded into a double play, with Torrens touching home plate and throwing out the runner at first.
Stat of the Game: 2-2-3 Double Play
Luis Torrens, recently added to the active roster after the release of Omar Narváez, made a terrific, game-ending double play off the bat of Nick Castellanos. The bouncer right in front of the plate was snagged by Torrens, who quickly touched the plate, and then fired to first to catch the runner at first, sealing the victory for New York.
Player of the Game: Jeff McNeil
After being benched for a few games for Jose Iglesias, Jeff McNeil returned to the Mets lineup and came out swinging as he went 2-for-4 with a run scored, one of those hits coming in a crucial situation in the ninth inning that helped spark the rally to win it.
On Deck
The Mets have an off day on Monday but resume regular baseball activities on American soil at Citi Field, as Tylor Megill (1-2, 3.00 ERA) toes the slab against the Miami Marlins. First pitch is at 7:10pm and the game will be broadcast on SNY and WCBS 880 AM.
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