Mets 2-1 Phillies (September 22, 2024) Match Report

NEW YORK — Brandon Nimmo hit a game-winning home run in the sixth inning against Zack Wheeler that sailed just over the glove of jumping right fielder Nick Castellanos as the New York Mets beat Philadelphia 2-1 on Sunday night, preventing the Phillies from clinching the NL East title at Citi Field.

Edwin Díaz made his second career six-out save, his first since August 4, 2022. He left Trea Turner at third base when Alec Bohm grounded out in the eighth inning and Bryson Stott at third base in the ninth inning when Kody Clemens struck out.

“We've protected him all year and now it's time for the big guys,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said.

New York (87-69) won three of four games against the Phillies and has won 18 of its last 23 games, matching a season-high 18 games over .500. The Mets passed Arizona and moved ahead of the Diamondbacks for the second of three NL wild-card spots as they won the season series 4-3 and stayed two games ahead of the Braves (85-71). New York finishes the regular season with three games each at Atlanta and Milwaukee.

Philadelphia (92-64) needs a win in its final six games to clinch its first NL East title since 2011. The Phillies host the Chicago Cubs in a three-game series that begins Monday night.

“Hopefully we can do it, because it's going to be exciting,” Phillies manager Rob Thomson said.

Nimmo opened the sixth with his 22nd home run, breaking a 1-1 tie when he hit a fastball over the 8-foot fence with his first pitch.

“This is a playoff atmosphere, playoff baseball, and you really see how much more each pitch means in these games,” Nimmo said. “These guys just rise to the challenge and it's just beautiful to watch.”

Before a boisterous crowd of 43,139 – the second consecutive sold-out game at Citi Field and only the fifth this season – Tylor Megill allowed four hits in four innings, and Phil Maton (3-3), Joey Butto and Díaz combined for one hit in five innings, and Díaz made his 20th save in 26 chances this season.

Francisco Alvarez's throw to Stott's steal hit third base, but was picked up by third baseman Mark Vientos, who grabbed the ball with his bare hand after it bounced, forcing Stott to hold onto it.

“I’m not sure I’ve ever seen that,” Thomson said.

Mets star Pete Alonso, who became a free agent after the World Series, received a standing ovation when he stepped to the plate in the first inning. Alonso tipped his helmet and tapped it to his heart. He went 0 for 4 with three strikeouts and received another standing ovation in the eighth inning.

“For me, this is like something out of a storybook,” Alonso said. “It's really, really remarkable to be able to see and feel that reaction and appreciation in such a full house.”

Wheeler (16-7), who had won his previous four starts, allowed two runs and seven hits in seven innings.

Turner hit a single in the first inning, advanced on a wild pitch and scored on Bohm's single with two outs.

Vientos doubled in the second inning, rushed to base ahead of Johan Rojas' throw from center, and came home when Tyrone Taylor singled past the diving Bohm at third base.

JD Martinez sat on the Mets' bench for the second straight day and struck out as a pinch hitter in the eighth inning, extending his all-time worst record to 0/32.

New York attracted 2,285,147 visitors over 78 dates this season, compared to 2,573,555 last year.

TRAINING ROOM

Phillies: OF Austin Hayes (kidney infection), out since Sept. 1, was 0 for 4 with a walk and two strikeouts playing left field for Triple-A Lehigh Valley. He could be activated Tuesday. … RHP Spencer Turnbull, out since June 26 with a strained right latissimus dorsi, pitched two innings for the IronPigs and allowed Tyler McDonough's two-run homer. He will likely take batting practice Thursday at the Phillies complex in Clearwater, Fla.

Mets: RHP Kodai Senga will not pitch during the regular season after experiencing tightness in his right triceps during a minor league rehab appearance Saturday. … SS Francisco Lindor (back) missed his seventh straight game but participated in more intense pregame workouts. The Mets hope he can return Tuesday.

Next

Phillies: RHP Aaron Nola (12-8, 3.54 ERA) starts the first home game against the Chicago Cubs on Monday.

Mets: RHP Luis Severino (11-6, 3.79) opens a three-game series in Atlanta on Tuesday. The Braves start with RHP Spencer Schwellenbach.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb