FLUSHING, NY — In a four-game series where the New York Mets attempted to keep their postseason hopes alive and validate themselves amongst the top tier of National League playoff contenders, while up against one of the best teams not just in the NL, but in all of MLB, the NL East leading Philadelphia Phillies, the Amazin’ did exactly that.
Pete Alonso and the Mets head to Atlanta to start a three-game set with the Braves that will more than likely decide their NL Wild Card chances – Image Credit: Simon Lindenblatt/Latino Sports
Four game series between the Phillies & Mets in Queens
Thursday, September 19: Mets win 10-6
Friday, September 20: Phillies win 12-2
Saturday, September 21: Mets win 6-3
Sunday, September 22: Mets win 2-1
New York took the four-game set at Citi Field, three games to one, with a nail-biting 2-1 victory over Philadelphia, which was aired on ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball. Tyrone Taylor and Brandon Nimmo were the leading factors offensively in the win, as each outfielder recorded an RBI — a Taylor RBI single in the bottom of the second to score Mark Vientos and a Nimmo solo home run in the home half of the sixth — both off of NL Cy Young award candidate, Philadelphia’s right-hander Zack Wheeler.
Brandon Nimmo connects for a solo homer on Sunday night against Philadelphia’s Zack Wheeler – Image Credit: Simon Lindenblatt/Latino Sports
Zack Wheeler turns and stares at Brandon Nimmo’s fly ball land into the right field vicinity over the home run fence – Image Credit: SImon Lindenblatt/Latino Sports
On the mound, following Tylor MeGill, Phil Maton, and Jose Buttó minimizing Philadelphia to just one run scored on four hits and two walks over seven innings combined, Edwin Díaz, a former LatinoMVP Reliever of the Year award winner, came up as clutch as you could get.
The 30-year-old Puerto Rican, Díaz, was called from the bullpen in the eighth to complete the most difficult stretch of the game — Kyle Schwarber (strikeout looking), Trea Turner (single), Bryce Harper (strikeout) and Alec Bohm (groundout) due up to bat.
“When I made the decision to go to him in the eighth, I wanted my best guy against their best hitter there and then let it play out,” said Mets manager Carlos Mendoza on the decision of calling for Díaz. “And then once he got through the eighth with 11 pitches, that’s when I was like I’m probably going to send him back out.”
Edwin Díaz also secured a four-out save on Saturday afternoon in the Mets’ 6-3 win over the Phillies – Image Credit: Simon Lindenblatt/Latino Sports
He then came back out for the ninth to attempt to secure a six-out save and proceeded to do so after walking Bryson Stott and Brandon Marsh.
“I was feeling great, trying not to overthrow, trying to make pitches and get the final out,” stated Díaz in Sunday’s postgame.
All together, Díaz recorded four strikeouts across his nine batters faced to mark his 20th save on the season as the Mets improved to 87-69 overall — currently tied for the second NL Wild Card spot with the Arizona Diamondbacks and two-games up on the Atlanta Braves for the third and final NL Wild Card spot.
Light Show at Citi Field as Edwin Díaz closes out the Phillies on Sunday Night Baseball – Image Credit: Simon Lindenblatt/Latino Sports
“I mean, just unbelievable,” said Nimmo on Díaz’s heroics and culmination of the All-Star closer’s up and down season. “You’re asking a guy to go out there and go through the toughest part of the NL East leading Phillies. They have superstars all through that lineup and you’re asking him to go through there and not give up one run. It’s a tough thing to ask, but if anyone is up for it, it’s Díaz.”
“Just what a beautiful story for him. From the beginning of the season to now — I’m so so proud of him because it has taken a lot of mental toughness to get through what he’s done.”
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