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)
Hamels pitched Saturday. To pitch again Wednesday would only be 3 days rest. They haven't had an off-day since before the Dodgers series.— RollinsWasRight- MARK, to borrow a line from TBS....bush league, very funny. RollinsWasRight.....I agree they have no right to complain. Their postgame live is just like ours. The studio guys did break down the game and point out the Mets' failures and all. Like I said, it just struck me as odd that they would spend any time at all talking about it. It's not like that was the key at bat in the game or something and that's why they lost.— bski
- bski, that's hilarious given Tatis' celebration when he crossed home after his HR. He did this skip thing and put on a bit of a show. The Phils noticed it, b/c Howard did something similar when he crossed the plate after his HR--very unusual for the big man. So I have to LOL at the Mets announcers complaining about "bush league" behavior.— danielswolf
bski: Saw the story on the radial bat. Sounds promisig. Let's hope it takes off and solves the problem. It would be nice to see that guy make it big with such a cool idea. Back to the Phils: I woke up in a bit of a haze this morning, vaguely aware that something special had happened last night. Then I looked at my pictures taken at last night's game and it all came back to me. Wish I could post some on here for you all. We had Diamond Club seats (comps) and that makes for great photos. Oh, I also have a hazy recollection that I was raving wildly last week about moving Jimmy down in the order and putting Victorino at leadoff... Nah, must have been a bad dream.— bobby- Kotsay went to Boston. I would have like him as a left handed bat off the bench. Plus would have hepled with Jenkins on the DL.— Beef69
- Everybody wants to go to Boston as they're viewed as a sure thing to get back to the WS by many players....they still refuse to take the Rays (or us) seriously...Bobby/bski re: the radial bat....every design has been tried over the years...radial laminated bamboo bats were sround in the 60's and again in the 80's...modern composite bats were supposed to be the answer but never took off as they "feel" weird in your hands when hitting....I personally don't understood why the old hickory bat , ala' Willie Montanez from the 70's has not resurfaced...it was a hard, resilient wood and I'm not sure Willie ever broke one of his....— Mark1npt
Anyone else up for giving Pat the Bat the night off? He is really pressing and not producing. Put Victorino in the three hole, bat Taguchi eighth. Maybe he can lay down a bunt or two.— RAS- Todd.....It's your birthday? Happy Birthday! And since the game ended after midnight, what a great gift! And thanks for the great re-cap! Even though I was at the game, there was soooo much stuff going on, I couldn't keep track! LOL! Totally forgot about Condrey's double! Has ANY Phillies pitcher EVER hit a double? LOL! And when Ruiz was swiched to 3rd, I was like...."What the F***!" But everything sure worked out! Brett's at-bat was one of the funniest things I've ever seen in my life! He should win an Academy Award! LOL! I was at Wed. game when Feliz hit the walk-off HR. At first I thought Costie hit another one. I was sitting right in the corner of right field and didn't see it land on the warning track. The bell started ringing IMMEDIATELY when the ball was hit, so I thought it went over! LOL! I've been to tons of great come-from-behind wins, but this was THE BEST ONE EVER!!!!! With last year's 11-10 win a close second!— Norma
- Hey-lost in it all becuase we won was that awful call at 3rd base in the third inning when the ball hit Beltran, then went foul. The umps blew that one and Tatis hit his HR on the next pitch or two. By the way, has Tatis started running the bases or is he still standing at home plate admiring his work?— KMG
- DANIELSWOLF...That's just one more reason why we hate the Mets so much. BOBBY....Glad you checked out the article about the Radial Bat. I don't know if it will be the answer, but indefinitely allowing razor sharp shards and barrels turned into spears flying all over the park certainly isn't. MARK....C'mon, we're talking an MIT grad with years of woodworking experience here. Hopefully he has found a solution.— bski
- Brett Myers is a crack head!— Truth
- Truth: Crack heads rarely tote around 35-40 pounds of extra weight. They are usually lacking 35-40 pounds of weight. Is Myers an anti-crackhead?— RollinsWasRight
- One of the best games played in MLB this year. Period. We have developed a tremendous rivalry against these hated Mets. We play great, well-played games with the Mets. This should spell the beginning of a Phils run. The offense has underachieved so they are due to rip.— BoricuaPhilsFan
- Great game last night!!! Charlie seemed to push all the right buttons, and most everyone responded. Wouldn't it have been better to have Seanez bat for himself in the 13th? He could have done the same thing as Myers, and he still could have come out and pitch the 14th if necessary, saving some bullpen pitches by Kendrick. Let's hope that doesn't come back to bite us tonight.— southpaw57
- Don't be surprised if Santana goes out and throws 120+ pitches tonight.— Mike H.
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