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By Jen McCaffrey, Matt Gelb, Tim Britton, and Will Sammon
Thrilling Walk-Off Victory for the Phillies
In a nail-biting showdown, Nick Castellanos hit a single to left field in the bottom of the ninth inning, securing the Philadelphia Phillies’ dramatic 7-6 walk-off victory against the New York Mets on Sunday night. This exhilarating win ties the National League Division Series at one game apiece, with both teams set to face off in Game 3 in New York on Tuesday.
Back-and-Forth Battle
The game featured five lead changes, showcasing both teams’ tenacity. The Phillies, who boasted the top home record in Major League Baseball this season, successfully avoided going down two games at their home ground, Citizens Bank Park.
The Mets showcased their power-hitting abilities, including a critical two-run home run by Mark Vientos in the ninth inning that momentarily tied the game, pushing the tension to an all-time high before Castellanos’ winning hit. Vientos initially got the Mets on the scoreboard in the second with a two-run blast.
Offensive Explosion from the Phillies
Pete Alonso extended New York’s lead with a solo homer in the sixth, making the score 3-0. However, the Phillies’ offense ignited in the bottom of that inning. Within a rapid series of pitches, Bryce Harper sent a two-run homer over the fence, followed by Castellanos hitting a solo shot off Mets starter Luis Severino, leveling the score at 3-3.
Severino had been dominant for five innings but faltered when delivering a fastball to Harper, which was met with a thunderous response. Amid a roaring crowd, the Braves briefly soared ahead when Brandon Nimmo answered with a solo homer in the seventh, bringing the Mets to a 4-3 advantage.
In response, Bryson Stott electrified the fans with a two-run triple in the eighth, allowing the Phillies to reclaim a 6-4 lead after Vientos committed a fielding error on a ground ball. Yet, Vientos quickly redeemed himself by hitting another clutch two-run homer in the top of the ninth, knotting the game once more.
Mets’ Bullpen Challenges
Despite an impressive closing effort in Game 1, the Mets’ bullpen faltered in this crucial match. Entrusted with a one-run lead in the seventh, Jose Buttó and closer Edwin Díaz were expected to secure three outs between them. Unfortunately, both pitchers struggled, with Díaz yielding three runs in the eighth inning, turning the game in favor of Philadelphia.
While Vientos’ tying homer gave the Mets a glimmer of hope, relief pitcher Tylor Megill ultimately enabled Castellanos’ walk-off single after walking two batters to set up the decisive moment.
One Pivotal Swing
In the sixth inning, Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez challenged Severino with Harper at the plate. At a critical 2-2 count and with Severino maintaining control throughout the game, he attempted to overpower Harper with a 99 mph fastball. However, the pitch missed its mark, and Harper took full advantage, sending the ball crashing into the batter’s eye in center field, reigniting the Phillies’ hopes.
Before this moment, the Phillies struggled significantly, often swinging at pitches outside their zone. Severino had effectively limited their offensive output, sticking mostly to his fastball. However, Harper’s might at the plate sparked a transformation, and Castellanos quickly followed suit with a game-tying home run.
Mets Showcase Power Hitting
Indeed, the Mets had their moments of power during the game. They came into playoffs with a variety of ways to score, but this matchup marked the first time they hit multiple home runs in a postseason game this year. Just prior to this contest, Alonso’s memorable home run against the Brewers had been their sole homer this postseason.
During the regular season, the Mets hit a total of 207 home runs, ranking sixth in the league, demonstrating their offensive potential in October, especially when facing high-caliber pitchers.
The trio responsible for the Mets’ home runs—Vientos, Alonso, and Nimmo—constitutes a vital part of the lineup, and each played a pivotal role in keeping the Mets competitive throughout the match.
Questionable Pitching Decisions
The Phillies entered the series equipped with five reliable relief pitchers. However, against the right-handed-heavy Mets lineup, lefty José Alvarado’s effectiveness diminished. After providing solid innings, manager Rob Thomson opted for José Ruiz in the sixth, a decision that raised eyebrows given Ruiz’s inconsistent history. This resulted in Alonso hitting a solo homer, deepening the early deficit faced by the Phillies.
Despite beginning a lower-leverage reliever this season and showing promise in September, Ruiz’s vulnerability was apparent. With Kerkering already warming up, it might have been prudent to prioritize him instead. Kerkering ended up taking over in the seventh, giving up another pivotal home run to Nimmo, as the Mets continued their offensive onslaught.
Thomson maintained his approach, emphasizing that all playoff games are crucial, regardless of score margins. “In every game in the playoffs, it’s crunch time,” he stated. “So you just make the right move.”
(Top photo: Hunter Martin / Getty Images)