Mets Reaction May 2, 2021: Saved by the Rail

The New York Mets were bailed by the railing on Sunday night, beating the Philadelphia Phillies 8-7 to win the weekend series at Citizens Bank Park while getting back to .500 at 11-11. After their lackluster, uninspired loss on Friday night, the Mets showed some signs of getting their offense on track in the last two games. Players have credited a mysterious man named Donnie for their recent success, which began with four runs in the first inning on Saturday. The Phillies did rally and tied the game, but Michel Conforto, who appears to have found his stroke, hit a home run in the ninth inning to give the Mets a 5-4 lead. A lead that was held by Edwin Diaz, who was dominant on Saturday for his third save of the year. 

The Mets went into Sunday night with David Peterson facing the Phillies for the third time. He had one good start and one bad start. It was bad to start as Andrew McCutchen led off with a home run. The next two batters also reached before Peterson got J.T. Realmuto to chase. Alec Bohm hit into a double play with Jeff McNeil making a run-saving scoop. David  Peterson settled down and did not allow another run in five innings of work. 

The Mets wasted a leadoff double by Dom Smith in the second, as they were a little too aggressive on the bases. In the third, they would tie the game as Michael Conforto continuing his clutch hitting from Saturday, drove in Jeff McNeil, who doubled earlier with a two-out single. The Mets took the lead in the sixth as Zach Eflin spiked a potential double-play ball hit by James McCann. However, a chance to blow the game open went by the board as Francisco Lindor putrid hitting flew out to end the inning with the bases loaded. 

Miguel Castro had his worst outing of the season in the bottom of the sixth, yielding a three-run bomb to Didi Gregorious. Now down 4-2, the Mets went down with barely a whimper in the seventh. However, in the eighth, Kevin Pillar, the player of the game, delivered his third hit, a home run that sparked the Mets back to life. Jonathan Villar also reached. After James McCann was retired, the Mets sent Jose Peraza up to pinch-hit. With Villar on the move, Peraza hit a hot shot that ate up Rhys Hoskins. Villar scored as Hoskins lollygagged the ball back to the infield. 

With the game tied 4-4, Jesus Alvarado came on and gave up a hit to Jeff McNeil before walking Lindor and Conforto to give the Mets a 5-4 lead. Pete Alonso followed with a bases-clearing double off David Hale. The Mets were up 8-4; from there, it should have been easy, but it is never easy. Trevor May was flawless in the eighth. However, Luis Rojas pinch-hit for May in the ninth, deciding to bring Edwin Diaz in the ninth when things began to get dicey.  

It was clear that Edwin Diaz was not at his best from the first pitch. Diaz has never fared well in non-save situations and has had his struggles when pitching back-to-back games. Gregorius walked to lead off the inning. After a flyout by Nick Maton, Roman Quinn had a triple, making what was a non-save situation into a tense situation for the Mets. Diaz told pitching coach Jeremy Heffner his back was stiff, but the stiff in the stiff in the dugout kept him in the game. Odubel Herrera struck out as the Mets were one out from victory. However, Matt Joyce walked, bringing up Rhys Hoskins with the tying run. 

Mets fans have seen this script before. Edwin Diaz struggling to find the plate leaves one fat, and the lead is gone. Rhys Hoskins ripped the ball, and it appeared to be a home run. However, the ball hit the top of the railing and came back onto the field. After a second look by the umpires, the home run call was overturned. Hoskins was angry, but the call was correct as the ball hit the rail and came back on the field. Two runs scored, but the Mets were still leading 8-7. Diaz made his exit as Jeurys Familia faced Bryce Harper. It was not a healthy Harper, as the Phillies star appeared to hurt his wrist earlier in the game. Harper was struck out as the Mets escaped with a win. 

The Mets won this game, but again the decision-making of Luis Rojas is an issue. If Edwin Diaz is not feeling well, why pitch him in a non-save situation? This manager continually looks and sounds clueless in pressers. If they had lost this game, what would have been said, the Mets were saved by replay, but what happens next time? 

Also, what is the point of ESPN getting a player to wear a mic. Rhys Hoskins was miced up. He had the brain fart that allowed the Mets to tie the game. He hit the ball initially called a home run and was clearly upset when the call was reversed, but none of the audio was played.