12 of the best moments from Mets-Phils London Series finale
Shanthi Sepe-Chepuru
@ssc627With the Mets' nail-biter 6-5 victory over the Phillies on Sunday, the 2024 London Series has come to an end.
The NL East rivals went out with a bang -- sort of -- with a tightly-contested game culminating in an anxious ninth inning in which both clubs mounted rallies. But a gutsy -- and extremely rare -- bases-loaded double play turned by Mets catcher Luis Torrens saved the day, bringing the weekend's festivities to an appropriately thrilling close with both teams heading home with a victory.
Though the games may be over, there's no need to move on from the London Series just yet. Here are the best highlights and moments from Sunday's action.
1. Mets walk high-wire to finish off Phils
The ninth inning bullpen adventures were not for the faint-hearted; after Bryce Harper singled to load the bases, Mets reliever Drew Smith walked Alec Bohm to force in a run. With the Phillies back within one, Torrens, playing just his sixth game in a Mets uniform, restored order with an incredible (and clearly painful) 2-3 double play on Nick Castellanos' grounder in front of the plate.
Smith, of course, was credited with the save for his effort -- but Torrens is the closer in our hearts.
2. Mets scratch together rally vs. Phils closer
You know what they say -- it ain't over 'til it's over. The bottom of the Mets' order came out swinging (or not, as the case may be) in the ninth against Jos¨¦ Alvarado, tying the game on a walk and a pair of singles -- the game-tying RBI single coming courtesy of Mark Vientos -- before making an out. Two batters later, Alvarado hit Pete Alonso with the bases loaded, forcing in the go-ahead run, and a passed ball brought in yet another, giving the underdogs a late 6-4 lead.
3. Dahl dialed in for Phillies
Six games into the young history of the London Series, we're still collecting firsts -- this time, the honor belongs to Phillies outfielder David Dahl, who now owns London Stadium's first ever pinch-hit home run. Oh, and it was a go-ahead shot for a 4-3 lead at the time.
4. Here come the Mets!
It had been all Phillies for most of the weekend, but things finally clicked for the Mets in the top of the sixth -- after Taijuan Walker was lifted, Brandon Nimmo and J.D. Martinez greeted Gregory Soto with a pair of well-placed hits to pull even.
5. Phils pad their lead by a pair
In a low-scoring affair -- uncharacteristic both for the Phillies and for the launching pad that is London Stadium -- Philadelphia extended its lead with a modest two-run rally in the fourth, on a double by Edmundo Sosa and a single from Whit Merrifield.
6. DJ spins ... and wins
After Saturday's game, Mets outfielders spoke to the challenges the configuration of London Stadium presented for tracking fly balls. This ball off the bat of Weston Wilson looked like trouble for DJ Stewart, but it hadn't reckoned with his tenacity.
7. Didn't go far, but got it done
After Saturday's power surge, the Phillies showed off their small ball capabilities on Sunday. Kyle Schwarber had each of the Phillies' first two hits of the day, leading off the game with a squibber and later scoring the first run of the game on a double-play ball hit by Bohm.
8. Lindor multitasks
While he was mic'd up in the third inning to talk about his experience in London, the ball immediately found Francisco Lindor. He had it handled (never a doubt).
9. First pitch? Old news
Ahead of this weekend, actor Rob McElhenney was given the choice between throwing out his Sunday first pitch to Chase Utley or Bryce Harper.
What Phillies fan could pick just one? Certainly not McElhenney, who opted instead for a ceremonial first double play -- potentially the first in professional baseball, although we can't confirm -- with Utley at second base and Harper at first.
10. These fans don't waffle on who their favorite is
Why is Mets stalwart Jeff McNeil so big in Belgium? Is he aware of it? Is the No. 2 Belgian Fanclub for McNeil in attendance? Are there fan clubs for, say, Reed Garrett? ... We guess some questions really do require no answers.
11. At your service
The Phanatic, now in full uniform as a royal guard (no word yet on how said uniform was acquired), made a mid-game appearance on ESPN to deliver tea to broadcasters Doug Glanville, Michael Kay and Tim Kurkjian.
12. A friendly -- and festive -- rivalry!
With both Mets and Phillies partisans participating, this pregame conga line spans the spectrum of London Series fandom.