When the deficit reached 10 runs with the game barely one-third over, Mets manager Terry Collins, being of sane and sound mind, did the logical thing. He pulled starters. He tried to save pitching.
But then 10 became six. Then four. Three. Two. And eventually, the winning run came to the plate in the ninth inning.
It wasn’t to be, of course, as the greatest comeback in Mets history remains at eight runs. Still, to many involved in the 10-8 loss to the Phillies, there was a lot gained at Citi Field on Saturday night when the Mets, coupled with Washington’s win, were officially eliminated from the National League East.
“I was told a long time ago by Jim Leyland,” Collins said, “when you’re getting your butt kicked, get your stars out and get those other guys in because they’re playing for something. They’re playing for jobs, and I absolutely tip my hat to the job those young kids did. They had energy. They ran those bases. [Hitting coach] Kevin Long told me they’re running like their hair’s on fire. Tremendous comeback.”
Tremendous, but ultimately failed, although unlikely guys emerged, like Gavin Cecchini who managed the first two hits of his major league career, each an RBI double.
“You’re always trying to win regardless of what the score is,” said the 22-year-old Cecchini. “When we were put in, the score was 10-0. We’re not going out there and just going through the motions. We’re trying to put together good at bats and get back into the game.”
The Mets (82-73) remained ahead of the Cardinals (81-73), winners earlier in the day, by a half-game in the hunt for a playoff wild-card berth. They are tied with San Francisco after the Giants beat the Padres on Saturday night. Collins noted the Nationals’ clinching was inevitable.
“We got too far behind. They were going to clinch it sooner or later,” Collins said.
Cecchini’s second hit, off reliever Hector Neris, part of a Philly bullpen that looks telethon-worthy, made it 10-7 in the eighth. In the ninth inning, Jay Bruce with one out got to hear some cheers by driving the first pinch-hit homer of his career, his 30th shot of the season, to close the gap to 10-8.
“He needed it badly. They’re working on a couple things with his swing,” Collins said of Bruce, who broke an 0-of-15 skid. “I hope this is the kick start.”
Well, it was the start to lots of intrigue against the Phillies’ Michael Mariot (second save). Eric Campbell worked an 11-pitch walk. Michael Conforto walked. Twice, the winning run came to the plate.
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First, Lucas Duda, but he popped out, and then Travis d’Arnaud rapped back to the box, so the greatest Mets comeback remains eight runs in an 11-8 win at Houston on Sept. 2, 1972.
“[Bench coach] Dickie Scott said Lucas Duda’s going to hit a home run and win the game,” Collins said. “He didn’t, but he was in the situation to do that.”
And that in itself was amazing, considering the Mets trailed by 10 before they even had a baserunner. With Sean Gilmartin (0-1) thrust into the second start of his career, subbing for the ailing Noah Syndergaard (strep throat), the Mets were down 5-0 in the top of the first inning, which included a three-run homer by Maikel Franco (25th).
“Pretty much everything,” said Gilmartin when asked what didn’t work. “I wasn’t very good.”
Gilmartin left after surrendering a two-run single to opposing starter Alec Asher (2-0), making his second start after serving an 80-game steroid suspension. Rafael Montero took over and gave up five runs in 3 ¹/₃ innings, which included another three-run homer, this one by Darin Ruf, in the fourth.
The Mets seemingly surrendered down 10-0 after four innings, yanking the first four batters in the order — Jose Reyes, Asdrubal Cabrera, Yoenis Cespedes and Curtis Granderson. But the replacements, along with Philadelphia’s alleged defense, played a big part in a four-run fifth.
In the fifth, with two on, Cecchini sent a grounder to third that Franco threw away, bringing in one run. Rivera, who replaced Reyes, singled home two. Brandon Nimmo, in Cabrera’s spot, doubled in Cecchini, and Ty Kelly, in for Cespedes, lifted a sac fly to make it 10-4. Kelly saved a run in the seventh, uncorking a Cespedes-like throw to nail A.J. Ellis tagging from third. Cecchini made it 10-6 with his first RBI double, which preceded an RBI roller by Rivera.