The Mets pounce late on the Phillies and score a wild comeback win in NLDS Game 1

PHILADELPHIA – There was no loud laughter in the New York Mets clubhouse.

No screams or euphoric shouts.

Really, a small, precious emotion.

The New York Mets pulled off another stunning late-inning victory on Saturday, this time 6-2 over the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 1 of the National League Division Series, and they acted like they had just played a spring training game in Port St. Lucie , Florida

While they may surprise the entire baseball world, the Mets are acting like it's just another day at the office.

Now this is what they expected.

They fly to Atlanta and have a game to win the day after the regular season is supposed to end, and they win the first game of a doubleheader with an eighth-inning comeback And a comeback in the ninth inning.

Travel to Milwaukee, experience the final two outs before the season ends in the NL Wild Card Series, and catch first baseman Pete Alonso with a game-winning three-run home run.

Fly to Philadelphia where 45,751 raucous fans jeer them, score a single hit in seven innings against star hitter Zack Wheeler, then destroy the Phillies' bullpen in a quick whirlwind eighth inning.

That puts the Mets in the driver's seat heading to their first National League Championship Series since 2015.

Yet despite the victory, there wasn't a soul in the Mets' clubhouse that mocked the Phillies or showed the slightest degree of bravery, refusing to buy into the idea that by defeating the Phillies and Wheeler, they were now are the favorites to win. of five NLDS.

“We know we’re good,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said, “and we have good players.”

But Mendoza urged caution.

“It’s a game,” Mendoza said. “We have to come back (Sunday) and we have to do it again, but it's a good start. …

“You can’t take anything for granted,” Mendoza said. “This is a really good team. They've done this all year long. They won the division by a huge margin. We have to keep playing well against them.”

Still, this was a game that could torment the Phillies all winter, just as it did a year ago when they returned to Philadelphia with a 3-2 lead over the Arizona Diamondbacks in the NLCS and lost both games to reach the World Series to miss.

That night they were in full command again. Wheeler, who lowered his postseason ERA to 2.18, gave up just one hit and struck out nine in seven innings. The Mets had no idea. Wheeler produced 30 swings and misses with his fastball and off-speed pitches, the most in a postseason game by any pitcher since 2019.

“I've always said we've got to get this guy out of the game,” Mets DH JD Martinez said.

Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor said, “He was unbeatable.”

Mets infielder Jose Iglesias: “I have nothing but respect for him. We had to get into their bullpen.

When Wheeler left the game after seven innings, the Mets acted as if a substitute teacher had just taken over their classroom and went on a rampage. They scored five runs in the eighth against three different Phillies relievers, including All-Stars Jeff Hoffman and Matt Strahm, without a single extra-base hit.

“When you're down by a run, you can think small and try to force that one run through,” Mets left fielder Brandon Nimmo said, “and then just keep going. I thought what we did could be done.” On a highlight reel, that's just good baseball without hitting a home run. I'm very, very proud of the boys for that.

And yes, maybe they didn't really celebrate Wheeler's departure after seven innings, but it sure was a beautiful sight to see someone else on the mound.

“He’s an incredible pitcher, we all know that…” Nimmo said. “For us in this situation, getting to him, at least not letting him throw the whole game, is kind of a victory. And to be able to get to the bullpen and see what happens. These guys did great.”

The Mets scored five singles, a walk and two sacrifice flies in the eighth inning, and the game was over. The sellout crowd at Citizens Bank Park didn't know whether to boo, scream or cry as they headed for the exits.

The “OMG,” pumpkin-loving, grimace-hugging Mets have seized the momentum and won’t let it go.

“Momentum is a real thing,” Lindor said, “but I also believe you have to play the game right whether you have momentum or not. We don't have the team to go out there and push through people. That’s what we have to go out there and do the little things right so we win.”

This is a team that was 24-35 on June 2, then went 65-38 the rest of the regular season – winning 20 of its last 29 games – and is now heading into October.

“I believe in momentum,” Nimmo said. “And I believe that we have confidence right now… I believe in the hard work that we've put in and I believe in the preparation that these guys do every day.

“But dynamics is a big thing. And confidence is a big thing.

“And the boys are showing a lot of that right now.”

The Mets believed they were capable all summer, but never allowed themselves to become overconfident.

It was the same thing after the game when I told the reporters that just play the game right and that if you play hard and clean baseball, good things will happen.

Meanwhile, there may be a sense of panic in the other dugout as the Phillies realize they can't afford to go down 2-0 in Games 3 and 4 in New York.

“Philadelphia is an incredible team,” Nimmo said. “We played very, very difficult games throughout the regular season, dogfight games. So it's really important to get first place, you know, especially if we're going home with it.” two.

“That immediately puts pressure on the other side.”

We'll find out how the Phillies respond in a moment, but Wheeler won't be able to pitch again until Game 5. They opt for young starter Cristopher Sanchez Sunday over the experienced Aaron Nola. And they are about to play their first competitive game of the season.

“It was a tough loss,” Wheeler said. “It’s not where we want to be. It’s important to come out of this with division.”

“We have to win one while we’re at home.”

Otherwise, they'll be home all winter, marveling at the Mets' magic carpet ride.

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