Is it 2007 Again?
The Phillies came back to beat the Mets in 13 innings, 8-7. It kind of felt like 2007, didn't it?
Is it 2007 Again?
Todd Zolecki
Chris Coste gets a hug from Shane Victorino after Coste singled in Victorino for the game-winning run against the Mets in the 13th. (YONG KIM / Philadelphia Daily News)
Wow.
That felt familiar. Last night's 8-7 victory in 13 innings over the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park felt a lot like 2007. The Mets took a 7-0 lead in the fourth inning, but the Phillies chipped away at it before a few dramatic moments in the ninth and 13th innings won it and moved the Phillies into first place in the National League East.
"It had that feeling like we were going to win it every single inning," Chris Coste said. "We had a pretty good feeling ... an excitement because we put ourselves in position to win the game on many occassions. It was definitely exciting. It probably felt like the Little League World Series players. You forget that you get paid to play the game. It's almost like we felt like little kids with the excitement in kind of playoff-type atmosphere, which is pretty normal when we play the Mets."
Last year when the Phillies played the Mets at the Bank there were dramatic moments: Chase Utley's return from a broken hand Aug. 27, Ryan Howard's game-winning homer in the 10th inning Aug. 28, Marlon Anderson being ruled out for interference to preserve a one-run win Aug. 29 and that unbelievable 11-10 back-and-forth victory on Aug. 30.
Last night's game had similar moments.
- The Mets taking a 7-0 lead in the fourth inning.
- Jimmy Rollins going 5 for 7 with a double, homer, three RBIs and three stolen bases.
- The bullpen finishing the game throwing nine consecutive scoreless innings.
- Charlie Manuel moving Carlos Ruiz to third base for the top of the ninth inning so Eric Bruntlett could hit in the bottom of the ninth. "I started to put Bruntlett in the game and I told Jimy (Williams) that I want to save Bruntlett to hit," Manuel said. "Ruiz has been catching balls at third base and working out there. And actually he was an infielder before they made him a catcher in the minor leagues. At that time I thought what have we got to lose? We needed a run. I wanted to keep Bruntlett back to hit for the pitcher, who had a good chance of hitting."
- Jayson Werth hitting a two-out single up the middle in the ninth and Bruntlett following with a double to right-center field to score Werth to tie it.
- Shane Victorino, who was 0 for 6, hitting a leadoff triple in the 13th.
- The Mets intentionally walking the bases loaded with no outs.
- Brett Myers taking all the way before striking out for the first out in the 13th. "You can follow orders," Manuel told Myers as the returned to the dugout." Yep, there was no way Myers was swinging at any of those pitches. Myers certainly played up to the moment with an exaggerated leg kick and other movements in the batter's box. The way he strutted to the plate you would have thought he was Babe Ruth. "They were saying, 'Let him fake squeeze,'" Manuel said. "I said, 'No, because Victorino might break for the plate.'"
- Coste's game-winning hit to center field to finally win it.
Game time: five hours, 17 minutes.
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Kyle Kendrick was ready to pitch the 14th inning if the game had continued. He threw 40 warm-up pitches in the bullpen, but said he should be fine tonight when he faces Johan Santana.
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It was Coste's first walk-off hit. Ever.
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Jim Salisbury talks about the electricity in the park when the Mets come to town.
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In the Phillies Notebook: could Jamie Moyer be back in 2009, a trade for Mark Kotsay is unlikely and Rollins' practice tee work continues to pay off.
Comments (61)
el zorro - who cares if he used Myers or Seanez? He likely was going to go to Kendrick anyway if they didn't score. Seanez stinks! If Kendrick actually pitched last night, they would have used someone else tonight.— Gary Varsho- RWRight, you bring up the other issue I was going to discuss...it was masterful psychologically, as well as strategically....this is going to be the game that puts Cholly and this coaching staff on the map around the league with other staffs....he was LaRussa-like, in his planning and execution....and the tension breaker with Myers was one of the classic dugout gags of all time....which is exactly what this team needed.....I don't think the average fan who has never played a meanigful game at any level can grasp what took place last night during that inning or in that dugout...those guys will remember that game for the rest of their lives.....if Cholly lost anybody in that clubhouse at anytime during this season (yes, I mean you Truth, er I mean Jimmy) they are all back on board the train now....that was a real team building experience...something like what John Stevens would have done with his Flyers or Phil Jackson would have done with his Bulls of yesteryear....masterful.— Mark1npt
- I didn't get a chance to catch the game last night. Does anyone know if video of Myers' at-bat is on the web?— VaPhilsPhan
- More on Manuel...How about the gamble of holding Bruntlett back so he could use him to pinch hit and then sending Ruiz out to play 3rd?!? I'd say that worked out pretty well, huh? Also, how about finding out that Ruiz has been taking grounders there lately? What's up with that? Is anybody else as surprised as I am?.......Too bad Condrey was out of the game. If he were up instead of Myers, Coste wouldn't even have the chance to be the hero.— bski
- Also, about Myers' dancing all around during his "pinch hitting" appearance.....I watched the game on SportsNet New York. After the game, the Mets postgame live crew of Yaloff, Mazzili, and Reynolds were not to happy about Myers' antics. Harold Reynolds actually called it bush league. I know it was just sour grapes. I don't care one bit about what they think. I just thought it was funny that, with everything else that went on during the game, they would even bother to comment on that.— bski
- bski, Ruiz was originally a 2nd baseman, he had a good arm and he couldn't hit back then either so they decided to try him at catcher....didn't know he was taking grounders at 3rd now though...guess they were making plans a few weeks ago, not knowing how long Feliz might be out....and yes it was one of many masterful moves that Cholly made last night. Great that Bruntlett made him look so smart and that Werth continued the recent trend of all out hustle!— Mark1npt
- bski, people that can't grasp the psychological impact of what Manuel and Myers concocted, would view it as bush league, especially former players who never played for a manager like Manuel...remember Reynolds played his whole career in the AL where a stiff named Hargove who never moved a muscle on his face or in his body during a game was one of the league's most successful managers.— Mark1npt
- PS...I heard thru the grapevine that Harold Reynolds' whole lawsuit with ESPN was centered around something "bush league" too.....sounds like he should know about "bush league" lol,lol,lol— Mark1npt
- Varsho, Mark and Rollins, you guys still have a hangover from last ningt's game. It's funny that Charlie complained about Lidge being overused warming up in the pen during the allstar game when he did it to Kendrick last night. If he pitches tonight, by the time he goes to the mound he would have thrown around 80 pitches before Reyes gets in to the box. 40 last night, around the same amount in the bullpen before the game and 20 in the mound before the umpire will say playball. Brilliant!— EL Zorro
- bski: Met commentators would know all about "bush league" antics... they watch "Hot Dog" Reyes, and "Showboat" Tatis (btw, is he back on the HGH or what???) every night. That is the most classless, inprofessional team in baseball, hands down, for the last three years. They can think whatever they want, but they have NO right to complain about other teams trying to keep it loose and have fun.— RollinsWasRight
- EZ - you can't compare a relief pitcher, who is used to throwing max about 30 pitches a game, getting up multiple times throughout the course of a night, and throwing over 100 (eauivelant of a full game for a starter) to a guy who is used to throwing over 100 pitches a game, getting up once and throwing 40. Its just not the same. It has a lot to do with conditioning.— Gary Varsho
- Zorro...Kendrick was our last option last night....and he's a sinkerball pitcher...that kind of pitcher can actually get a little more action and sink on their ball when they get a little tired, much like Myers was getting more bite on his curveball later in the game the other night...he may go further than you think tonight....besides we HAD to win last night with Santana going for the chokers tonight...we may revert to passive amoeba at the dish tonight....no pun intended— Mark1npt
- Zorro: What else is he supposed to do? Everyone can think what they want, Seanez was never going out for a second inning last night. The guy is 37 or 38, fresh off the DL, has never been a multi-inning pitcher, and the only time I can recall Charlie sending him out for a second inning this year, it ended with Jose Reyes crossing the plate to end the game (by the way, I still contend he was out). I am not thrilled about the notion of Kendrick warming up last night, and then pitching tonight, but what other options are there? Sure, it sounds nice and easy to pitch Cole tonight on three days rest, but it isn't that simple. Do you then have to move Blanton and Myers up? Can Kendrick pitch tomorrow or Friday after having an oh so taxing warm-up in the pen? They don't have a lot of roster flexibility to call up some kid for one game, especially such a big game against Santana... besides, I think this coaching staff is dead set on pitching their 3 best pitchers this weekend in Wrigley... they want Hamels, Myers and Moyer all available for what promises to be a VERY tough 4-game set. They cannot afford to lose 3 out of 4.— RollinsWasRight
- RWR - your are dead on with the Mets and their BS antics. I almost went through the TV last night after Tatis' home run and his bs dance at home plate. Someone needs to give one of them a shot to the ribs. Not to mention, gone basically unmentioned today (because of the way we wone) is that HR was bs because the ball he hit up the 3rd baseline that hit Beltran was fair and he was OUT! Afful call by the umpire in that situation. That was a game changing play!— Gary Varsho
- Hamels is in normal rest, because of the off day, I think. I will pitch him tonight if that's the case. I don't want to lose Kendrick or overuse the bullpen today and get somebody hurt and have to call Eaton (Oh, no!) or still rehabbing Benson. We still have Happ, though.— EL Zorro
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