Mets get big outs when needed, top Phillies

The Mets came back from a late 2-1 deficit and got some big outs in key spots, topping the Phillies by the score of 3-2 on Saturday night at Citizens Bank Park.

Game Recap:

The Mets took a 1-0 lead in the top of the fifth, when Phillies second baseman Cesar Hernandez‘ two-out error allowed a run to score from third base.

After Dilson Herrera made an error on a routine ground ball to open the bottom of the sixth, the Phillies capitalized, plating the tying run on a sacrifice fly and taking the lead when Carlos Ruiz smacked a run-scoring double down the third base line.

With one out in the top of the seventh and Jon Niese – who had singled – on first base, Juan Lagares hit a missile of a two-run homer to left field to put the Mets back on top, 3-2.

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Buddy Carlyle came into a bases loaded mess with one out in the bottom of the eighth inning, but induced an inning-ending double play that was nicely turned by Ruben Tejada and Dilson Herrera as the Mets escaped the jam.

Jeurys Familia worked around a one-out single to earn the save in the ninth.

Highlights:

• Jon Niese put together perhaps his best start of the season, allowing two runs (none earned) on five hits, one walk, and six strikeouts in seven innings of work. Niese’s ERA for the season is now 1.95.

• Juan Lagares’ first home run of the season – a two-run shot – was the difference.

• Michael Cuddyer went 2-for-4.

• Dilson Herrera went 1-for-4.

• Ruben Tejada went 2-for-3 with a walk and a run scored.

Thoughts:

This win was uncomfortable, but it’s one that was very satisfying nonetheless.

Until Travis d’Arnaud and David Wright return, the Mets will likely have to eke out wins like the one they got on Saturday night, and they certainly have the starting pitching to put themselves in position to do so.

Still, while the Mets came out on top on Saturday, they’re going to need both Curtis Granderson and Michael Cuddyer to start picking up some of the slack soon.

Next Up:

The Mets wrap up their three-game set with the Phillies on Sunday night at 1:35 p.m.

Bartolo Colon gets the start for the Mets, opposed by Chad Billingsley for Philadelphia.