Phils Stun Mets in 13

Chris Coste capped an improbable Phillies victory last night with a bases loaded single in the bottom of the 13th inning, as the Phillies beat the Mets 8-7.  The Phillies fell behind early in the game, trailing the Mets 7-0 after 3 1/2 innings.  Despite the early deficit, I never got the sense that the Phillies were out of the game.  I did, however, get the sense that the Mets players felt as though this game was in the bag far too early.  As the Mets were celebrating in the dugout — an act no doubt seen by the Phillies players — the Phillies slowly began to chip away at their lead.

The Phillies scored a run in the fourth on a sacrifice fly, and then got to Pedro Martinez for four in the fifth– on a pair of two-run home runs from Jimmy Rollins and Ryan Howard.  Rollins, who had five hits on the night, added an RBI single in the eighth, cutting the lead to 7-6.  The Phillies tied the game in the ninth on an RBI double from Eric Bruntlett.

This was, without a doubt, the game of the year for the Phillies.  Jamie Moyer struggled — lasting just three innings and surrendering six earned runs — but the bullpen (10 IP, 1 ER) and the Phillies resurgent offense (19 hits) picked him up.  It felt like 2007 all over again last night.  In fact, the game last night felt eerily similar to the Phillies 11-10 comeback victory over the Mets on August 30th of last year.  Wins like these are almost too big for words in a pennant race.  Last year, that victory propelled the Phillies to the post-season.  If the Phillies are able to win the division again this year, this will be the game to look back on.