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Mets rout Phils, take NL Wild Card lead
- Updated: September 26, 2016
NEW YORK — Considering the jagged state of their starting rotation, the Mets were set up for trouble heading into a four-game series against the Phillies this weekend. It would not have taken much for their burgeoning playoff hopes to dim before their eyes.
For this Mets club, however, little seems insurmountable. The latest example unfolded when Robert Gsellman saved a worn-out bullpen in a 17-0 blowout of the Phillies on Sunday, the Mets consistently took advantage of Philadelphia mistakes and Asdrubal Cabrera hit a late grand slam to secure a series victory at Citi Field.
The most lopsided shutout in franchise history moved the Mets a full game over the Giants, who lost to the Padres Sunday afternoon, for the National League’s best record among Wild Card contenders. The pursuing Cardinals are tied with the Giants for the second spot, and they play later Sunday.
“We needed one of those,” Mets manager Terry Collins said. “Our bullpen was shot. So it was nice to be able to have comfortable innings at the end of the game.”
Gsellman struck out a season-high eight for the Mets in what was easily the best start of his young career, retiring 11 of 12 during one middle-innings juncture. He also came up with his first career hit, bunting down the first-base line due to a left shoulder injury that prevents him from swinging.
The Mets backed Gsellman with plenty of offense, taking advantage of wildness from both Phillies starter Jake Thompson and the pitchers who relieved him. Curtis Granderson hit his 30th homer off Thompson, who gave up three runs in four innings. The Mets then turned the game into a laugher when Cabrera hit his third career grand slam off Colton Murray.
All afternoon, the Phillies struggled with the bases loaded, walking two batters, hitting another and allowing Cabrera’s slam. Philadelphia pitchers walked nine batters in total and hit four more. The Phillies’ bullpen had a 14.29 ERA (27 earned runs in 17 innings) in the series against the Mets.
“Pretty embarrassing game today,” Phillies manager Pete Mackanin said.
Prior to the game, the Mets and Phillies lined up in front of their dugouts to honor late Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez. Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespedes taped a Fernandez jersey on the wall of the home dugout, as members of both clubs paid their respects.
MOMENTS THAT MATTEREDDown on the ground: Opposing hitters came into the game …
