Philadelphia Phillies vs. New York Mets – Results, Stats and Summary – September 21, 2024 Gametracker

NEW YORK (AP) Sean Manaea won his fourth straight point victory, Brandon Nimmo hit a game-winning three-run single in the seventh inning and the New York Mets beat Philadelphia 6-3 on Saturday, preventing the Phillies from clinching the NL East title.

Francisco Alvarez and Luisangel Acuña hit home runs in the second inning to give the Mets a 2-1 lead. Alvarez hit a two-run double against Orion Kerkering (5-3) in the seventh inning to make it 5-2, and Edwin Díaz made a save with four outs.

New York (86-69) won for the 17th time in 22 games. The Mets remained two games ahead of Atlanta and thus secured the last NL wild card. In their seven-game home game without star shortstop Francisco Lindor (back pain), they improved their record to 5-1.

“Yes, we lost a player who is in the conversation for the MVP title,” said manager Carlos Mendoza, “but hey, we have to move on. … We haven't done anything. We still have a lot of important games here.”

44,152 spectators filled Citi Field, only the fourth sold-out stadium this season after opening day and two games of the Subway Series against the Yankees.

“It was an incredible feeling today,” said Nimmo, who had encouraged fans to come. “There was an energetic atmosphere. Every pitch was important and the spectators were there the whole time.”

Philadelphia (92-63), which has lost two of the first three games of the four-game series, can secure its first NL East title since 2011 with a win over the Mets on Sunday night. The Phillies secured nothing worse than a wild card on Friday.

“We want to win our division,” said hitter Kyle Schwarber.

Manaea (12-5) struck out 21 of 24 batters, allowing Schwarber's season-record 15th home run, Nick Castellanos' home run to tie the fifth inning and JT Realmuto's leadoff single in the eighth. The 32-year-old left-hander never pitched from the line, allowing three runs and three hits in seven-plus innings and striking out six. Manaea lasted at least 6 2/3 innings for the eighth straight start.

Cal Stevenson's RBI grounder to Reed Garrett in the eighth inning brought the Phillies within two runs. Díaz threw a third strike on a full-count fastball past Schwarber for his 19th save in 25 chances, his third save with four outs this season.

With the score tied 2-2, Kerkering walked Starling Marte in the seventh inning and hit Pete Alonso in the left shoulder blade with one out with a 97 mph pitch.

Nimmo hit a single to left-center field to make it 3-2, ending the Mets' 0-for-14 streak with runners in scoring position. Nimmo stole second base and Alvarez hit a double just past the glove of left fielder Weston Wilson, who was attempting a pike catch.

Alvarez hit a 115-mph homer for his 11th home run of the season and fifth in nine games. Acuña's home run was the third in his first 24 major league at-bats.

Alonso hit an RBI single in the eighth inning when his two-out pop fly to short center landed between Stevenson and second baseman Bryson Stott, both of whom thought the other was going to catch the ball.

Phillies starter Ranger Suárez allowed five hits and three walks in five innings. His fastball velocity averaged 92.5 mph, an increase of 0.7 mph.

“I made some adjustments that helped me regain my speed,” Suárez said through a translator.

New York benched JD Martinez, who made a career-low 0-for-31 shooting. Mark Vientos retired a career-low five times.

The Mets finished 5-5 this season in their new gray City Connect jerseys.

TRAINING ROOM

Phillies: OF Austin Hayes (kidney infection), out since Sept. 1, started six innings as a DH in his first rehab game for Triple-A Lehigh Valley, going 2 for 4. He is scheduled to play left field on Sunday. … RHP Spencer Turnbull (right latissimus sprain) is scheduled to play a rehab game on Sunday in his final game of the season with the IronPigs.

Mets: RHP Kodai Senga threw a hitless inning with a walk and two strikeouts for Triple-A Syracuse in his first rehab outing since straining his left calf in his season debut on July 26. He threw eight of 15 pitches for strikes. Senga missed the first half of the season because of a shoulder capsular strain that had sidelined him since spring training. … RHP Paul Blackburn (spinal fluid leak in back) will not pitch during the remainder of the regular season, Mendoza said.

Next

Zack Wheeler (16-6, 2.56 ERA) starts for the Phillies in the final game of the series on Sunday night against his former team. RHP Tylor Megill (4-5, 4.08) plays for the Mets.

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