Phils Rally To Down Mets In Extras, Stott Shines

QUEENS, NY - The Phillies took down the New York Mets 5-4 in extra innings as the sputtering offense rallied late.

Christopher Sanchez took the mound for the Phils to begin the night as the club began their two-game series with the Mets in New York. The lefty cruised through the first inning before it began to get choppy.

Before Sanchez’s struggles however it was Garrett Stubbs who’d give the Phillies an early 1-0 lead after a beautifully lain bunt.

After a leadoff double from Pete Alonso (8), JD Martinez would also double to score Alonso and make the score 1-1. A few batters later, the nine-hole hitter, Tomas Nido, drilled a single to center field, scoring Martinez and giving the Mets the 2-1 lead.

The bottom of the third inning is where it really started to look ugly for Sanchez as he let up a walk to Martinez which scored Starling Marte to make the score 3-1 Mets and also brought the Dominican product’s pitch count to nearly 70. Following the walk, Sanchez ran through the rest of the inning as he struck out the remaining three batters in order.

For the next three innings, neither team could seem to get much going on offense until the top of the seventh when Johan Rojas found his stroke as he grounded out to allow Edmundo Sosa to score and bring the Phillies within one at 3-2 Metropolitans. 

Though in the bottom of the seventh Tyrone Taylor reached on a fielder’s choice which allowed Alonso to score and widen the New York margin to 4-2. 

After a scoreless eighth inning both ways the Mets would bring in their superstar closer Edwin Diaz to end the Phillies night in the ninth. However, Bryson Stott and the Phils had something to say about that. Stott kicked off the inning with a home run (4) to right center field which brought the Phillies within one and made it a 4-3 ballgame. 

A pinch-hit single from Kody Clemens, and walks from Brandon Marsh and Whit Merrifield - Alex Bohm was hit by a pitch and forced the tying run home making the score 4-4. 

Despite the fact the Phillies failed to take the lead in the ninth, Orion Kerkering shut down the Mets in the bottom half of the inning to make way for Stott once again in the tenth. Stott hit a sacrifice fly to right field which scored Bryce Harper and gave the Phillies a 5-4 lead. 

Finally, in the bottom of the tenth the Phils called on Jose Alvarado to claim his eighth save of the year which he was able to do while sending back all three batters he faced. 

With the win the Phillies move to 29-13 on the season and sit 2.0 games up on the Atlanta Braves in the NL East. They also possess the best record in baseball which results in the National League’s number one seed. The club will now get ready for a quick turnaround tomorrow afternoon back at Citi Field for a 1:10 PM first pitch against the Mets as Aaron Nola (4-2, 3.67 ERA, 47 K) takes the mound.