Parity abound in MLB postseason as big spenders and budget squads collide
USA TODAY Sports’ Bob Nightengale breaks down parity in the MLB Postseason and why teams like the Padres are excelling despite cutting their budget.
Sports Seriously
Here’s how Sunday’s game unfolded in Philadelphia:
Tylor Megill walked Trea Turner and Bryce Harper with two outs, setting up Nick Castellano’ walk-off line drive into left field to even the series.
Mark Vientos hit a two-run homer off Matt Strahm in the top of the ninth to tie the game 6-6, a stunning turn of events after the Phillies had rallied back to take a two-run lead in the bottom of the eighth.
It was Vientos’ second home run of the game after his two-run shot in the third inning opened the scoring.
Birthday boy Bryson Stott hit a two-run triple to right off Mets reliever Edwin Diaz, giving the Phillies a 5-4 lead in the bottom of the eighth. JT Realmuto followed with an RBI fielder’s choice to make it 6-4, a critical insurance run with the Phillies needing to get three more outs.
Edwin Diaz replaced Jose Butto with two outs and two on in the bottom of the seventh, striking out Kyle Schwarber on a checked swing to end the threat.
The teams are a combined 0-for-11 with runners in scoring position as the game heads to the eighth inning with the Mets up 4-3.
After the Phillies got two homers in the bottom of the sixth to erase their 3-0 deficit, Brandon Nimmo responded in the top of the seventh with a two-out solo homer off Orion Kerkering, putting the Mets ahead 4-3.
After getting the first two outs in the bottom of the sixth, Luis Severino gave up a single to Trea Turner followed by a monstrous two-run homer to Bryce Harper that made it 3-2, finally getting the Phillies on the board.
Nick Castellanos followed with a solo home run against Severino, tying the game and sending the crowd into a frenzy.
This game heads into the seventh inning tied 3-3.
Pete Alonso hit an opposite-field solo home run to lead off the top of the sixth against new Phillies reliever José Ruiz, providing the Mets with a crucial insurance run and a 3-0 advantage.
Mark Vientos’ two-run homer in the third remains the game’s only scoring, with Luis Severino and Cristopher Sanchez trading zeroes at Citizens Bank Park.
Reliever José Ruiz will replace Sanchez to start the sixth for Philadelphia.
Mets third baseman Mark Vientos hit a two-run homer in the top of the third to open the scoring, bringing home Francisco Lindor who had singled with one out.
Vientos had a breakout season playing every day for the Mets, finishing the regular season with 27 home runs. He was especially dangerous against lefties like Phillies starter Cristopher Sanchez, batting .300 with an .884 OPS vs. southpaws in the regular season.
It’s 2-0 heading into the bottom of the third.
Third baseman Edmundo Sosa’s throwing error gave Jose Iglesias an extra base on an infield single to lead off the top of the second, but Cristopher Sanchez got J.D. Martinez to pop out to second, Starling Marte to line out to center and Francisco Alvarez to ground to first, ending the frame.
The Mets are already 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position.
Phillies starter Cristopher Sanchez worked around Mark Vientos’ one-out double in the top of the first, getting Brandon Nimmo and Pete Alonso to fly out to center to end the threat
What time is Mets vs Phillies Game 2?
First pitch in Game 2 is scheduled for 4:08 p.m. ET at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.
How to watch Mets vs Phillies, TV channel
Starting pitcher: Luis Severino
- Francisco Lindor (S) SS
- Mark Vientos (R) 3B
- Brandon Nimmo (L) LF
- Pete Alonso (R) 1B
- Jose Iglesias (R) 2B
- J.D. Martinez (R) DH
- Starling Marte (R) RF
- Francisco Alvarez (R) C
- Harrison Bader (R) CF
Starting pitcher: Cristopher Sanchez
- Kyle Schwarber (L) DH
- Trea Turner (R) SS
- Bryce Harper (L) 1B
- Nick Castellanos (R) RF
- Bryson Stott (L) 2B
- J.T. Realmuto (R) C
- Brandon Marsh (L) LF
- Edmundo Sosa (R) 3B
- Johan Rojas (R) CF
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