Four games in as many days in Philadelphia was make or break for the Mets season. The Mets entered Philly on our nations's birthday for an important 4 game set with the first place Phillies. The Mets were 1 game under .500 and 4.5 games out of first.
Game 1.
The series did not start well. Mets ace Johan Santana pitched a great game, allowing only 2 earned runs over 8 innings. The Mets in their typical fashion did not support Santana and he was in line for a no-decision when Sanchez blew the game in the bottom of the 9th. The Mets lost, fell 2 under .500 and a 5.5 games out of first. Since the Phillies had Happ pitching against ace Santana, it was a game the Mets had to win and they didn't. All hope seemed lost and it looked like the Phillies would take a split or even the series 3-1. Mets fans were not happy and were questioning manager Jerry Manuel's decision not to leave Johan in the bottom of the 9th. (Remember it was pouring rain and tied, Manuel made the right call. If he left Santana in and Santana gave up a run, the media would be saying "Why the hell did Jerry leave Santana in?"
Game 2.
Ken, Helen, Kathleen, and Steve arrive at Citizens Bank Park the top of the 2nd inning with the Mets up 1-0. (Kathleen needed Starbucks, some things come before baseball for other people.)
Our tickets were in the nosebleeds and even there it was a great view of the stadium and the game. This is a great park, the nicest park I have visited so far (which includes of active parks: Shea, Yankee, Fenway, Camden Yards, Skydome, Safeco Field, Angels Stadium, and Dodger Stadium.) The ticker takers give me a dirty look since I am wearing my "Vamos Mets" tee shirt. They referred to Citi Field as "Copy Cat Stadium."
I saw the Mets play at other stadiums and the fans were not nearly as hostile. Jose Reyes strikes out and they shout "site down you $$$-hole!."
John Maine pitches well through 5 innings but his only hit is a 3 run home run to Ryan Howard and the score is tied up 3-3. In the bottom of the 5th John Maine felt a problem with his non throwing arm and was taken out of the game with 2 strikes and 2 outs on Ryan Howard. The fans were screaming "Bring in Home Run Heilman!!" I just sat and watched and prayed. Heilman pitched exactly one pitch and struck out Howard. Game still tied 3-3.
The Phillies tag the Mets bullpen for a run in the bottom of the 7th and it does not look good. I am thinking about 6.5 games out. But I spy the Phillie Fanatic down on the field boxes and take his photo, that cheers me up somewhat, while I hate the Phillies, I love the Fanatic!
The top of the 8th, Brian Schneider has a pinch hit double to drive in two runs and the Mets tack on one more to make it 6-4. While no lead is ever safe at Citizens Bank Park, I feel confident enough with Sanchez in the bottom of the 8th to leave my seat for the first time and hit the men's room.
In the top of the 9th the Mets rallied for 3 more runs. I felt better. The obnoxious Philly fans started to leave. Then they bring out the rain delay tarps! There was almost no rain! We decided to leave and watch the bottom of the 9th from a local bar. Mets win and are now back to where they started when they woke up on July 4th.
Game 3.
This was a game the Mets needed to win. You need to follow-up a nice come backer from the night before with a win. It looked that way after the ever consistent Oliver Perez tossed 7 scoreless innings and the Mets headed into the bottom of the 9th with a 2-0 lead. Billy Wagner gives up a 2 run home run and you can only expect the worst. Luckily the Mets win in the top of the 14th. 3.5 games out.
Game 4.
The Phillies are eager to take the rubber game and undo the damage of the last two games. The Mets had to win again, they had to follow up with a win after the dramatics of the night before. The Mets take an early 10-1 lead and I turn the game off to watch some Tour de France. I flip back at one point and it is 10-5, still no big deal, then 10-7, then Billy Wagner makes it 10-9 with 2 outs and runners in scoring position. Luckily the Mets hold on and are now 1 game over .500 and only 2.5 games out.
The Mets may have been sloppy, but they did eak out 3 games against the Phillies. A little luck on Friday and it would have been a 4 game sweep. The Mets are now 7-3 in 2008 against the Phillies so there can be no talk about the Phillies in the Mets head anymore.
That said, the Mets need to follow up this series with a major run into the All-Star break. Six home games against teams that are under .500 should be a 5-1 run leading into the break. If the Mets fail to do that, the season is over. If the Mets do go 5-1 or better, they should be headed into the second half a game or so out and right on the Phillies tail. It will be hard for the Phillies to hold on the NL East, they don't have the pitching to do so, they are an offensive club. But if the Mets don't show up, the Phillies will walk away with the East. The situation has changed for both teams, we will see how they both respond.
Posted by Steve in Citizens Bank Park