An important lucky bounce in the Mets win over the Phillies not on any highlight reel

Lucky bounces can make their way onto a highlight reel. Francisco Alvarez throwing a ball to third base that inexplicably bounces off the bag and stays on the infield. Jose Iglesias ripping one up the middle that ricochets off of the pitcher for a single. A ball down the line that hits a pebble big enough to have it roll foul. The New York Mets have had their share of bounces go their way lately.

They got another in Game 1 against the Philadelphia Phillies. Not found on any highlight reel or even discussed much, the pixie dust was on full display in the eighth inning when with two strikes Francisco Lindor fouled off a ball in the dirt.

Normally, this is the point when I’d share the highlight. Either social media has gotten too complicated for me to find it or this crucial moment ended up on the cutting room floor.

Francisco Lindor putting lumber on a ball in the dirt changed the complexion of the inning

The next four pitches thrown by Phillies reliever Jeff Hoffman were called balls and set the Mets up for Mark Vientos to tie the game with a base hit. Imagine if he had struck out. The rally might have never happened.

Lindor hasn’t had a spectacular postseason. What he has done is get on base plenty. Two hits versus six walks and only a pair of strikeouts, Lindor is causing some havoc at the top of the lineup with plate discipline.

We almost saw the effect of having a special kind of value at the top of the lineup from the other side. Kyle Schwarber’s leadoff home run for the Phillies came close to being the difference in this one. Instead, because the Mets pitchers carried the team so well, it ended up not mattering one bit because at the end of 9 innings the Mets led 6-2.

What lucky bounce will the Mets get today? It feels like we’re due for fan interference. Someone send Jeffrey Maier to Philadelphia.