LONDON — The Mets at least received something more than a sightseeing tour or two for their four days across the pond. A team with several deficiencies has shown a propensity for ninth-inning magic. It reappeared Sunday, allowing the Mets to escape with a split against the Phillies in the London Series.
A good old-fashioned three-run rally, with much of the lineup involved in the final frame, carried the Mets to a 6-5 victory at London Stadium. Mark Vientos’ infield single against Jose Alvarado tied it before Pete Alonso’s plunking with the bases loaded produced the go-ahead run and an ensuing passed ball provided the insurance. But the Phillies weren’t finished, pulling within one on Alec Bohm’s bases-loaded walk before the Mets pulled a Houdini: Nick Castellanos hit a squib in front of the plate that Luis Torrens grabbed.
Torrens stepped on home for the first and threw off balance to first base, completing the game-ending double play. David Dahl’s pinch-hit homer against Dedniel Nunez in the seventh gave the Phillies a 4-3 lead after the Mets had rallied to tie the game the previous inning. But Jake Diekman and Reed Garrett combined for the next two innings scoreless, allowing the opportunity for a rally in the ninth.
THE METS TURN A DOUBLE PLAY AND THE BALLGAME IS OVER! (via @ESPN ) pic.twitter.com/toBv1XzaWJ Jose Quintana continued his lackluster season with a blah performance that lasted only 3 2/3 innings.
Over that stretch he allowed three earned runs on si.
