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| Mark Vientos connecting on this third-inning home run. @Mets. |
The Mets got a taste of their own medicine, as it was the Philadelphia Phillies who mounted a late comeback to take Game 2 of the National League Division Series, 7-6, on Sunday evening.
Mark Vientos gave the Mets the early lead when he blasted an opposite field two-run home run to right field in the third inning.
That came off Phillies starting pitcher Christopher Sanchez, who went five innings, and allowed those two runs on five hits and a walk, with five strikeouts.
Then, in the sixth, Pete Alonso greeted Jose Ruiz with an opposite field homer of his own - his second in three games - to make it 3-0.
The Mets had a big chance to add to it when J.D. Martinez and Francisco Alvarez got singles, but Harrison Bader lined out to shortstop to end the threat.
Mets starter Luis Severino threw five shutout innings to this point, and he came out for the sixth, when the Phillies had the top of their order coming up.
After Kody Clemens (son of Roger, who was in the building) flew out to center field and Kyle Schwarber grounded out to first, Trea Turner singled to left field.
That brought Bryce Harper to the plate, and the anticipation in the stadium was palpable with this already feeling like a pivotal moment in the best-of-five series.
Harper met the moment, as he crushed one to deep center field, off the grass-covered backdrop.
Then, Nick Castellanos matched him with one to left-center field, and suddenly the game was tied at 3.
Severino struck out Bryson Stott to end the frame, and that closed the book on his afternoon. His final line, which meets the requirements of a quality start, was: 6 innings, 6 hits, 3 runs (all earned), 0 walks, 7 strikeouts.
The Phillies turned to Orion Kerkering, and he started the seventh by striking out Francisco Lindor and Vientos before Brandon Nimmo crushed one to right field to put the Mets back on top, 4-3.
The Mets turned to Jose Butto for the bottom of the seventh inning, and he exited with two runners on and two outs
Closer Edwin Diaz came on to face Schwarber, and he struck him out to end the frame and keep the Mets on top.
After not adding to their lead in the top of the eighth, Diaz remained on for the bottom half. He struck out Turner to start it, but walked Harper on four pitches, clear he wasn't going to give him anything to hit, and then Castellanos singled to give Philly runners on first and third with one out.
Stott then laced a triple to right field that brought in two runs and gave the Phillies their first lead in the series, 5-4.
That was all for Diaz, and the Mets turned to Tylor Megill for J.T. Realmuto, who bounced one to Vientos at third base.
Vientos took his eye of the ball for a second, and it bounced off his glove, allowing Stott - who started running for the plate as soon as the ball was hit - to score easily and make it 6-4.
The Phillies turned to Matt Strahm for the ninth, and after Bader struck out, Lindor singled before Vientos blasted one to left field for a two-run shot - his second dinger of the day with four RBI - to tie the game at 6.
The score would stay right there, and Megill returned for the bottom of the ninth.
Clemens struck out and Schwarber popped out to Vientos, but Megill then walked Turner and Harper.
Castellanos then laced a single down the left field line to bring in Turner with the winning run.
NEXT UP: The Mets will finally return to Citi Field for their first home game in 16 days for Game 3 on Tuesday evening at 5:08 p.m.
HOW THE METS SPENT THE PAST TWO WEEKS SINCE THEIR LAST HOME GAME:
Monday, September 23: OFF DAY
Tuesday, September 24: Lost 5-1 to Atlanta Braves
Wednesday, September 25: Rain out in Atlanta
Thursday, September 26: Rain out in Atlanta
Friday, September 27: Lost 8-4 to Milwaukee Brewers
Saturday, September 28: Lost 6-0 to Milwaukee Brewers
Sunday, September 29: Won 5-0 over Milwaukee Brewers
Monday, September 30: Doubleheader at Atlanta Braves to end regular season: Won first game 8-7 to clinch playoff spot, and dropped Game 2 to Atlanta, 3-0, as they clinched as well.
Tuesday, October 1: Wild Card Series Game 1: Won 8-4 over Milwaukee Brewers
Wednesday, October 2: Wild Card Series Game 2: Lost 5-3 to Milwaukee Brewers
Thursday, October 3: Wild Card Series Game 3: Won 4-2
Friday, October 4: OFF DAY
Saturday, October 5: NLDS Game 1: Won 6-2 over Philadelphia Phillies
Sunday, October 6: NLDS Game 2: Lost 7-6 to Philadelphia Phillies
Monday, October 7: OFF DAY
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