Mets Win 3-2 for First Victory in a Week

It’s been a long week.

The New York Mets snapped a five-game losing streak with a 3-2 win over the Phillies on Sunday night. The last Mets win came against the Yankees exactly one week ago. Any hope for October baseball in New York is all but lost.

Rich Hill and his flurry of mid-80s fastballs and 69 miles per hour curveballs had the chance to start. Hill walked Bryce Harper and allowed a double to J.T. Realmuto in the top of the first to score the first run of the game.

Not scoring the first run has been a death sentence for the Mets. When behind to start the second inning, the Mets were 7-26 this season. They were 12-40 when not leading after two, 9-51 when losing after three, and 8-57 when trailing after four innings.

Signs weren’t looking good when Hill failed to finish five innings. The Phillies added their second run of the game in the top of the fifth after a single from Freddy Galvis, a double from Jean Segura, and a sac fly from Harper. Jeurys Familia entered with two outs and struck out Realmuto to end the inning.

The Mets generated some offense of their own through unlikely candidates in the bottom of the fifth.

Jeff McNeil led off with a single up the middle, followed by a double by Tomas Nido. Dominic Smith entered as a pinch-hitter. He doubled to right field, scoring both runners and tying the game at two.

It’s Smith’s first multi-RBI game since August 3 in Miami.

New York went unconventional with its bullpen usage. Trevor May entered in the sixth inning. May pitched in the sixth once before this season, on July 10 in Game 1 of a doubleheader against the Pirates. Otherwise, he’s been used exclusively in the final three innings.

May, like a true professional, took the appearance in stride and struck out all three batters he faced.

Seth Lugo entered for the seventh but needed to be saved by Aaron Loup. Lugo struck out his opening two batters of Brad Miller and Kyle Gibson. Then a single and walk to Galvis and Segura would need an emergency appearance from Loup with Harper on deck.

Loup entered and walked the MVP-hopeful Harper on a 3-2 pitch to load the bases. With Realmuto up, he got him to roll over on a changeup to Francisco Lindor to end the inning.

McNeil would repay Loup.

McNeil launched his seventh home run of the season into the Mets bullpen to put them ahead. McNeil in his 110th game has now hit as many home runs as he hit in 2019 in 73 games.

Loup remained for the eighth inning, striking out one and allowing a single. Loup’s ERA stands at 1.00.

Edwin Diaz and his trumpets entered for what might be the final time at Citi Field this season if the Mets don’t use him during their series against the Marlins next week.

Diaz’s outing was up and down. He hit Galvis with a pitch, then struck out Segura on a 3-2 pitch six inches off the plate. With two outs, all he needed was to get Harper out. Harper flew out to McNeil in left field, giving Diaz his 30th save of the season.

Other notes, Brandon Nimmo‘s batting average slipped under .300 after an 0-for-4 night. Pete Alonso‘s offensive slide continued with an 0-for-3 night, he’s just 5 for his last 33.

Player of the game: Jeff McNeil

A frustrating season for the 29-year-old second baseman had a bright moment Sunday night. McNeil, batting the worst of his career, recorded two hits and the go-ahead home run. McNeil’s average has hovered around .250 after never finishing a season under .311 before.