Mets’ offense explodes late to beat Phillies and snap six game losing streak

The Mets poured it on late to earn a victory in the opening game of the series against the Phillies and snap their six-game losing streak. It was a much needed victory, even if the outburst might prove too little, too late in terms of the season after their recent tumble in the Wild Card standings.

Hard to believe given the final score, but this was a 1-1 game entering the eighth inning, with Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola hooking up in a pitcher’s duel. While Wheeler pitched in and out of trouble early, Nola mostly cruised, giving up only two hits through the first six innings.

The Phillies finally broke through against Wheeler in the bottom of the fifth. Adam Haseley led off the inning with a single, then moved to third on a one-out single from Corey Dickerson. That brought up J.T. Realmuto, who lofted a fly ball to shallow center. Michael Conforto made a fine diving play on the ball, but the dive cost him crucial time, as Haseley beat his throw to the plate to score the first run of the game.

After a Bryce Harper walk, Rhys Hoskins came to the plate with runners on first and second, and lined a single into left field. J.D. Davis made a fine throw to the plate to nip Dickerson at the plate, as he took a somewhat circuitous route to the plate.

After batting for himself and grounding out to end a Phillies threat in the bottom of the sixth, Nola seemed to tire in the top of the seventh. Davis worked a leadoff walk before a Joe Panik single and Todd Frazier hit by pitch loaded the bases with one out. Wilson Ramos came on to pinch hit and drilled a single up the middle to tie the game—also extending his hitting streak to 23 games. Jose Alvarez relieved Nola and wriggled out of the inning, as Rajai Davis lined out to short and Jeff McNeil popped out.

After Justin Wilson pitched a solid seventh, inducing a Harper double play to end the frame, the offenses suddenly awoke. The Mets loaded the bases again in the top of the eighth inning with one out. That brought up Amed Rosario, who delivered the big hit of the game, lining a single up the middle for the two-run tie breaking hit. The next batter, Todd Frazier, followed with a three-run home run to extend the lead to 6-1.

The teams exchanged large crooked numbers in the ninth, as Conforto homered and Frazier added a second three-run shot to give the Mets an 11-1 cushion, before Chris Mazza came on and allowed four runs to the Phillies in the bottom of the frame. Mazza did close out the inning without Mickey Callaway dipping further into the bullpen, as the Mets recorded a desperately-needed victory to try to keep their fading playoff hopes alive.

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What’s WPA?

Big winners: Joe Panik, +18.4% WPA, Todd Frazier, +17.8% WPA, Wilson Ramos, +16.9% WPA, Zack Wheeler, +15.1% WPA
Big losers: Jeff McNeil -19.9% WPA, Rajai Davis, -12.5% WPA
Total pitcher WPA: +25.0% WPA
Total batter WPA: +25.0% WPA
Teh aw3s0mest play: Amed Rosario’s two run single in the top of the eighth, +20.7% WPA
Teh sux0rest play: Rajai Davis’s line out with the bases loaded in the top of the seventh, -12.5% WPA