The New York Mets (86-74) defeated the Philadelphia Phillies (70-90) by a score of 5-1 at Citizens Bank Park Friday evening. With the win, the Mets magic number is down to one. If the Cardinals lose tonight the Mets are in the playoffs. If the Cardinals and Giants lose tonight the Mets will secure home field advantage in the one-game wild card playoff game.
Pitching:
Robert Gsellman was on the mound for the Mets tonight and he just keeps getting better and better. Gsellman went six innings allowing one run while walking one and striking out seven.
In the bottom of the second inning, Gsellman found himself in a bit of a jam. Maikel Franco singled on a sharp ground ball to start off the inning. Ryan Howard followed with a double, putting runners on second and third with nobody out. Cameron Rupp was able to hit a sacrifice fly to bring in Franco but that would be all of the damage against Gsellman on the night.
Fernando Salas came in for the Mets in the bottom of the 7th inning and pitched an impressive, scoreless inning.
Addison Reed came in and pitched the bottom of the eighth inning. Reed did what Reed does and that is make quick work of the opposition, striking out the side.
Jeurys Familia pitched a scoreless ninth to secure the win in a non-save situation.
Offense:
In the top of the 4th inning after the Mets recorded two quick outs, Yoenis Cespedes and Curtis Granderson singled to put two runners on with two out. Jay Bruce worked a great at bat and tied the game with a single to right field making the score 1-1. The Mets weren’t done yet as T.J. “hits” Rivera singled on a sharp line drive to left field giving the Mets the 2-1 lead.
In the top of the seventh inning, Jay Bruce lead off the inning with a home run, his 33rd of the season making the score 3-1.
In the top of eighth inning with two runners on, the Mets were gifted another run. Yoenis Cespedes hit a pop up that somehow landed on first base, a fair ball that scored Alejandro De Aza. With two runners still on in the inning, Jay Bruce added another run by hitting a single to left field making the score 5-1.
Notes:
Robert Gsellman’s season ERA will finish at a sparkling 2.42
Jay Bruce is 10 for his last 20 with 4 home runs.
The Mets have tied the franchise record with 105 home runs on the road this year.
JZ Player of the game: Jay Bruce. Bruce drove in three runs tonight and has really caught fire recently.
On Deck:
The Mets will play their second game of a three-game set with the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park tomorrow afternoon. The game has a start time of 1:05 PM. Bartolo Colon (14-8, 3.42 ERA) will look to keep the Mets rolling against Phil Klein (0-1, 8.22 ERA).
