Is there anything as sweet in a baseball game than poetic justice? The symmetry of the game only adds to the allure of baseball as two teams get 27 outs each to score as many runs as they can. It’s a formula that has remained unchanged for over 100 years.

But what I really love about baseball is all the unpredictable nuances that change from game to game, mostly fueled by the spirit of competition, unbound passion, and a wonderful dose of pride and ego. It’s why most fans will watch all 162 games. We’re addicted to that unknown outcome and watching the unique drama that each game delivers. No two contests are ever alike.

Last night at Citizens Bank Park, I got to watch my favorite game of the brand new season thus far, as the Mets and Phillies were battling it out in a very evenly matched contest. And then it happened… The game-changer. A beautifully timed in-game drama that would tilt the final outcome in the Mets’ favor.

It all began with one pitch. A 96 mile an hour fastball by Phillies reliever Edubray Ramos that whizzed over the head of Mets shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera. The pitch was revenge for an epic bat-flip after Cabrera blasted a game-winning home run last September. You know the one.

Infuriated, an animated Cabrera verbally let loose on Ramos who actually invited Cabrera to come to the mound and do something about it. And while SNY analyst Ron Darling was hoping for Cabrera to charge the mound, the second-year Met bit his tongue and drew a walk instead.

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Two batters later, the once-maligned and now beloved Jay Bruce stepped up to the plate to face Phillies lefty Joely Rodriguez with the game tied at 2-2. Having already homered in the 4th inning, Bruce was looking for some redemption for his teammate.

After seeing three straight sliders from Rodriguez, Bruce was looking for a fourth and there it was… Smack!!! Bruce crushes a home run deep into the left field night to give the Mets a 4-2 lead. It was a deafening blow to the Phillies and one they would never overcome.

Jay Bruce talked about the moment and his mindset going into that at-bat after what had ensued.

“It just gets the competitive juices flowing. We’re trying to play baseball and win baseball games, not be worried about stuff like that,” Bruce said. “Obviously no one likes getting balls thrown up at their head.”

“Tonight, it just happened to be me. But it’s going to be plenty of other guys plenty of other times all year long. I’m really, really excited because we have that type of team.”

You know who else is excited? Me. The Mets showed some character last night and Bruce continues to play the role of unlikely hero for the Mets in the early going. And as Terry Collins pointed out after the game, thank God for Bruce because nobody else is doing any damage in the Mets lineup.

But to my point, last night’s win was an incredible early season delight. It had it all, high drama, a purpose pitch, some fight, and then some booming payback to excite the masses back home in Flushing. What else could you ask for in an April game…