Game Recap: Mets Offense Explodes in 10th For 9-5 Win

The Mets have had a tough time scoring runs of late, so after an off-day, they had to be excited to be heading to Citizens Bank Park to face the Phillies. Not only was New York coming into this series 8-4 against their division rivals this season, they’re 5-1 on the road. The offense woke up in the hitter friendly confines, but this game went into extras before the Amazins could pull away.

Mets Offensive Highlights:

New York started right where they left off the last time they were in Philly, as the offense greeted starter Vance Worley with three straight sinlges. First, Ruben Tejada and Daniel Murphy set the table in front of David Wright, who singled in Tejada with a base hit to left field. They would strike again in the fourth inning, as Lucas Duda reached base with a single, and Mike Baxter brought the Amazins within one run with a two-run homer, his first of the season. Ruben Tejada started a game-tying rally in the fourth with his 23rd double of the season, then moved to third following another hit by Murphy. Wright was at it again, as he hit a fly ball to center field, deep enough to score the run for a sacrifice fly. They had to put together another game-tying rally in the eighth, as Wright walked to lead off the inning, but had to wait until there were two outs before Kelly Shoppach drove him in with a double. Once the game hit the 10th inning, Wright was in the middle of everything again, singling with no one on. Then Ike Davisdoubled him in, followed by scoring himself off a Lucas Duda single. Shoppach put the icing on the cake, hitting a two-run homer to extend the lead to 9-5. Tejada, Wright, Murphy, Duda, and Shoppach all enjoyed multi-hit games.

Phillies Offensive Highlights:

After watching the Mets scratch out a run in the top of the first, Philly went right to work in the bottom of the inning, as Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley walked, while Klye Frandsen was hit by a pitch to load the bases for Ryan Howard. He made Chris Young pay with his ninth homer of the year, a grand slam over the center field wall. Young would settle down, as he would only give up a solo homer to Utley in the fifth inning, allowing the Met offense the opportunity to come back later in the game, which they did. Outside of those two mistakes, Mets pitching was fantastic, as they held held the Philly lineup to 2 hits after Young made his way to the showers. The Phillies ended the night going 1-for-3 with runners in scoring position, stranding 7 men on base.

Pitching Highlights:

Chris Young didn’t last very long in this ballgame, as his elevated pitch count due to the big first inning did a number on him. He threw 89 pitches in 4.1 innings while giving up 5 runs on 4 hits and 3 walks, while striking out 2 hitters. His season ERA is up to 4.64 while he escapes with the no decision. The bullpen performed very well, as Robert Carson, Ramon Ramirez, and Josh Edgin all threw at least an inning of scoreless relief. Jon Rauch threw 0.1 innings to finish off the eighth to give way to Bobby Parnell, who set the Phillies down in order in the ninth, and then retired them in the 10th to get his fourth win of the year.

Despite only throwing 60 pitches in his start, Vance Worley also lasted only 4.1 innings, as he gave up 4 runs on 9 hits and no walks, while striking out 4 hitters. Like the New York ‘pen, the Phillies relievers were able to provide some length and effectiveness, as Raul Valdes, Josh Lindbloom, Antonio Bastardo, and Jonathan Papelbon held the Amazins scoreless to bring the game into extras. It was up to B.J. Rosenberg to to keep the game tied, but the flood gates opened as Charlie Manuel didn’t have anyone else to go to in his ‘pen after an early exit from Worley, as he gave up four 10th inning runs.

The win is the third in a row for New York, bringing their season record to 60-69, as they trail Philadelphia by a game for third place in the NL East.

Probable Pitchers Wednesday:

The marquee pitching match-up of the series will take place tonight, as Matt Harvey (2-3, 2.75 ERA) will be taking on the newly extended Cole Hamels (14-6, 2.99 ERA). First pitch at Citizens Bank is scheduled for 7:05pm.