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 Shortstop Ruben Tejada's single with the bases loaded in the
bottom of the 11th capped a dramatic late rally and lifted the Mets
to a 5-4 win at Citi Field.
The Mets (17-19) left 11 runners on base in the first eight innings
and appeared headed for their sixth straight loss -- and their ninth
in the last 10 games -- when they entered the ninth down 4-1.
But left fielder Eric Young led off the ninth by doubling off
Phillies left-hander Antonio Bastardo, and second baseman Daniel
Murphy followed five pitches later with a two-run homer to
jump-start a comeback that was completed by a spate of unlikely
contributors.
"The energy level is unbelievable - it hasn't been that high in a
long time, even when we were playing good," Mets manager Terry
Collins said. "This win may really be the win that gets us going."
Center fielder Chris Young - who doubled with one out in the ninth
inning to snap an 0-for-18 skid and eventually scored the tying run
- led off the 11th by beating out an infield single to second.
Pitcher Zack Wheeler, pinch-hitting because the Mets had no position
players available, sacrificed Chris Young to second.
After an intentional walk to center fielder Juan Lagares, catcher
Anthony Recker singled to third base to bring up the most unlikely
contributor of all in Tejada, who hit .183 in the Mets' first 33
games and lost his starting job when the Mets promoted Wilmer Flores
from Triple-A on Friday.
Tejada -- in the lineup Sunday only because Flores was sick --
reached base three times in his first five plate appearances before
he hit the first pitch from losing pitcher Jeff Manship into right
field to bring home Chris Young.
"Really good for me, after a tough week for me and the team," Tejada
said. "It's a good win for the team and a couple hits for me is
really good too."
Tejada ran all the way into short right field after his hit before
he was lifted up by Recker and mobbed by the rest of his teammates
spilling off the bench. None of the celebrants likely knew -- or
cared -- that Tejada, Recker and Lagares officially went into the
boxscore as runners left on base.
"I'll take it," Recker said with a broad grin and a laugh.
The Mets were 4-for-6 with runners in scoring position in the final
three innings Sunday, They were just 4-of-30 in those situations in
the first 30 innings, including 3-of-17 in losing a pair of one-run
games on Friday and Saturday.
"When you lose those close ones, everybody can find something that
they didn't do in a certain situation," Chris Young said. "When
you're able to win that close one, it just (gives) a positive
mindset to (say) 'Hey, we got it done.' We really needed it."
Murphy finished with three hits, including two doubles, while Eric
Young had three hits, two runs scored and two stolen bases. Tejada,
Recker and Chris Young -- a trio that entered Sunday batting just
.203 in 187 combined at-bats -- all had two hits apiece.
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"We got big hits from some guys that have been struggling, and
that's all going to add up in the end," Collins said.
Left-hander Scott Rice earned the win by recording the last out of
the 11th. Manship took the loss after throwing the final 1 1/3
innings for the Phillies.
Mets left-hander Jonathon Niese allowed three runs on eight hits and
one walk while striking out six over six innings.
The Mets' comeback cost Phillies left-hander Cole Hamels his 100th
career win. Hamels, who threw a career-high 133 pitches, allowed one
run on seven hits and three walks while striking out 10.
Bastardo was charged with all three runs in the ninth. He was
pitching in a save situation for the first time this season because
usual closer Jonathan Papelbon was unavailable due to a sore body.
"That (game) was in my hands," Bastardo said.
Third baseman Cody Asche had an RBI double in the second while left
fielder Domonic Brown and catcher Wil Nieves had RBI grounders in
the fourth inning for the Phillies (17-19), who have lost five of
seven. Second baseman Chase Utley provided what appeared to be an
insurance run with an RBI triple in the ninth.
NOTES: Mets 1B Eric Campbell collected his first hit with a
fourth-inning single. Phillies 1B Ryan Howard motioned for the ball
and gave it to Mets first base coach Tom Goodwin before tapping
Campbell on his left leg. ... LHP Jonathon Niese struck out in both
of his at-bats as Mets pitchers fell to 0-for-63 at the plate this
season. ... When Phillies LHP Cole Hamels earns his 100th win, he'll
become the third member of the Phillies' rotation with 100 wins. RHP
A.J. Burnett has 149 wins while LHP Cliff Lee has 142 victories.
Only two teams, the Boston Red Sox and the Los Angeles Dodgers, have
three 100-game winners on their staffs. ... Phillies C Wil Nieves,
playing in his 392nd major league game, stole the third base of his
career when he swiped second base in the eighth inning.
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