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)
So, which was better, last night, or that Thursday afternoon, 11-10 game last year?— RollinsWasRight- Mark1npt. I hope I do too. I could not even imagine what that would feel like. I got to go to my first Phillies playoff game last year. Lets hope this year I get to go to my first World Series Game. Tickets are in the mail!!!— Beef69
- By the way, has anyone else noticed how the difference between this team winning and losing seems to be, not pitching, not HRs, not even Jimmy Rollins so much, but moreso just aggressive baserunning? I mean, seriously, Werth scores the tying run from first on what was basically a single? Victorino ignoring baseball fundamentals and risking making the first out at third by legging out that triple? Plus they stole 6 bags last night. This team has been taking the extra base the last few games, and you can see what a difference it makes in the entire offense. Keep running, boys!— RollinsWasRight
- It was a great game, one of the most exciting games I have ever seen. But, will somebody explain to me why Charlie sent Brett Myers to pinch hit for Seanez if he was not going to swing the bat? Why not leave Seanez in there? In case the team doesn't score send him back to the mound and save Kendrick. He also risked Myers being hit by a pitch. It did not made sense. Maybe I missed something, Zo. Care to explain if I did? Sorry to ruin the excitement.— EL Zorro
- RollinsWasRight. Have to say it is a toss up. But if I had to pick. That 11-10 Thursday game was better. Cause one reason, I think. Billy Wagner.— Beef69
- RollinsWasRight. Another observation. The Phillies seem to play better when they are trailing. They take their concentration to another level. When they get good pitching from their own starters (see Cole Hamels record), they struggle offensively.— EL Zorro
- Two things, One, On the instant replay poll, another logical polling option should be "Would you prefer to have instant replay used at the beginning of next year", or "Should it be high on the agenda for winter meetings" - I can't beleive after all the years of deliberate consideration given to this subject we could be so rash as to engage it with but weeks notice mid season! What's happening next week - is the DH coming to the National League?! Two, This game unavilable in Harrisburg? - My sports bar couldn't get it on local channels, cable or satellite?— robinlupe
- I agree elzorro it didn't make sense to PH Myers for Seanez. I guess Manuel wanted the Mets to think Myers might swing due to the fact he is a starting pitcher (It could be years since the last time Seanez has hit) but at least he could have sent up a pitcher hitting over .050! Myers is 2 for 45 this season (although he is a better hitter lifetime than that. Anyway.. that was one of the best games I've ever seen and this is my 45th year as a fan. Perhaps the 5th game of the 1980 playoffs was better because it meant so much more but it was great! You can never count this team out. Their problem is their inconsistancies. I hope they get hot and sweep through the playoffs and get to the Show. With their hitting (potentially) and their improved pitching you just never know. GO PHILS!!!!!!!!!!!!— James TL
- RollinsWasRight (ahem, local sportswriter)...I stand corrected it was the 18-16 game in '76 that Schmitty hit his 4 hr's that was awesome, but the 23-22 game was a doozy also.....last night had "everything but a fight" like Cholly said!...and btw, didn't he do a masterful job of lining up the bench last night? I'm sure he had a lot of help from Jimmy Wiliams but that's why he's the bench coach......Robin, the reason for pushing thru instant replay now is that no one wants to see another blown HR call in THIS postseason......it's too important to let go til next year. How many have we seen blown this year? Too many by my count and I don't get to see every game in every city every night, either....— Mark1npt
- RollinsWasRight: First, my vote is for the 11-10 game, but it's close. Second, great point about the base running. I think that is the barometer by which we can measure the team's aggressiveness. No question we play better when we are the aggressor and take it to the other team. It looked like we were doing that all weekend against the Dodgers. The thing is, I couldn't tell how much of it was us being aggressive and how much was the Dodgers laying back. After last night, I'm sure it was all us.— bski
- James/elzorro, have you ever seen Seanez hit? I did once years ago and I'm still laughing.....Myers was a big fat decoy sent up there to look all menacing and intimidating, and it almost worked with him posturing, swinging hard in his practice swings AND putting pressure on the pitcher to throw strikes...so much of this game at this level is mental AND intimidation of the hitter vs. pitcher, pitcher vs. hitter....lest we forget Myers worked a full count and would have won the game himself with a measely walk? He was never gonna swing but Seanez was never gonna force a walk either.— Mark1npt
- bski, right on...I was saying it in the last week when Rollins/Victorino, etc in obvious running situations, where they could put pressure on the pitcher and the defense were just standing there.....now we're doing what the best team in the AL, the Angels do, on any given night...they are the best at taking the extra base, forcing the issue on the defense, etc....gotta love this style of play and again I ask you all....where was it the last 2 months?— Mark1npt
- Mark, have you seen Myers hit? There is not a big difference. So much for intimidating after Myers bailed out of one pitch 10 feet away from him. Too many risks involved in that strategy. Kendrick threw like 40 pitches in the pen. In the other hand, Seanez was fresh. He has not pitch that much lately. What happens tonight if Kendrick can go 4 innings? Go to Seanez for a couple or innings until he comes to bat, and then what?— EL Zorro
- Anything goes tonight EZ....it won't matter what Kendrick gives us or whether Seanez has to bat or not if this team falls flat on their behinds and goes down meekly to Santana and the chokers.....this team has shown a disturbing tendency this year to be satisfied with a hard fought win to start a series, only to tank the next night...if they truly are back and the real deal, they won't behave that way tonight and they'll finally beat a good pitcher....Santana after all is only 12-7.....somebody has beaten him 7 TIMES this year.....— Mark1npt
- Mark: Totally agree on the choice of Myers vs. Seanez, and also phenomenally impressed by the masterful job Charlie and Jimy Williams did in managing that game last night. I thought it was borderline brilliance (of course, only because practically every move worked, but that's baseball...)... I also think that another factor in sending Myers up there was that Charlie knew Brett would have fun with it, go way over the top with the acting. You know how much emphasis Charlie puts on keeping the team loose, and that was one EASY spot for everyone to get tight. How would the team play in the 14th if Myers K'd and Coste bounced into a double-play? I think Charlie wanted to keep some smiles on his players' faces...they were having fun, which is the only way to win a game like that. The Mets showed what happens when you get tense in those games...— RollinsWasRight
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