There was no team hotter than the New York Mets as they entered a crucial three-game series against the Phillies on Friday night, and after an 11-3 drubbing in the series opener, it looked as if the Phils were going to get caught in their wake.
Enter Bryce Harper, Cristopher Sanchez, a cadre of relievers and the Iron Pigs to take Saturday and Sunday’s ball games, winning a series that lowered their magic number to clinch their first NL East title since 2011 to just five.
They are the first team to 90 wins. They lead the division by nine games over the Mets and Braves with just 13 left. They have a three-game cushion over the Dodgers for the best record in baseball (the Phils’ are two games up in the standings but hold a head-to-head tiebreaker in the event the two teams finish with identical records), and are four games up on the Brewers for at least a bye past the wild card round as they enter another big three-game series in Milwaukee starting tonight.
There were many heroes from this weekend, all of whom we discussed on the latest edition of Hittin’ Season.
But here are my five favorite moments from Saturday and Sunday’s wins.
5. Weston Wilson – Buddy Kennedy Connection
For seven innings on Sunday, New York southpaw David Peterson dominated the Phillies lineup. They hadn’t scored and had tallied just four hits entering the 8th inning. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza decided to bring Peterson out to face outfielder Weston Wilson and infielder Buddy Kennedy, both having started in place of left-handed regulars Brandon Marsh and Bryson Stott. Mendoza knew if he brought in a right-handed reliever, Rob Thomson would pinch hit for both guys.
Understandably, Mendoza allowed Peterson to face two players who spent the majority of the season in Lehigh Valley. Wilson responded with a leadoff double, followed by another double off the bat of Kennedy to tie the game.
It’s incredible that, in a huge game in the middle of September in the heat of a pennant race, Bryson Stott and Brandon Marsh were on the bench and these two Iron Pigs were taking these swings instead of them. The reason the decision made sense is because Wilson and Kennedy have had huge moments in the month of September, none more so than in the 8th inning on Sunday.
4. Cristopher Sanchez’ Performance
With the Phillies going for a series win, All-Star Cristopher Sanchez had one of his finest performances of the season, hurling seven innings of one-run ball, striking out seven batters. Over his last six starts, Sanchez has a 1.99 ERA, has struck out 38, walked only 4, and logged six or more innings in each of those starts.
We’re well past the point where we should be surprised by Sanchez’ dominance. He is no longer the No. 4 starter we thought he was entering the season. He’s a true top-of-the-rotation arm, and should be regarded as such. The question now is, should he be the Game 2 starter in any postseason series, over Aaron Nola?
If the Phillies earn home field advantage throughout the playoffs, which seems likely, every one of those games would be at Citizens Bank Park. Sanchez’ ERA at home (2.05 ERA in 16 starts) is far better than on the road (5.13 ERA in 13 starts). Given that, it seems like a no-brainer to me.
3. Taijuan Walker’s Innings
The Phils’ struggling No. 5 starter-turned-reliever has taken his fair share of criticism for his lack of performance on the field this year, and it has been deserved. So, when Walker does something well, it should be recognized, too.
After Kolby Allard got blasted for four runs (three earned) in just three innings on Saturday night, putting the Phils in a 4-0 hole, Walker was summoned to stop the bleeding and hold the fort. Walker put together his three best innings of the season, allowing three hits but no walks and no runs, keeping the deficit at just four, allowing the offense to chip away at the Mets’ lead.
Without Walker stopping the bleeding, the Phillies probably don’t win that series.
2. Bryce Harper’s Power Surge
It seems inconceivable that Bryce Harper could go 128 plate appearances without hitting a home run. His swing just seems designed to accidentally hit a couple bombs over that long a time period, but baseball being the silly game that it is, the Phils’ MVP simply couldn’t get a ball to go over the fence to save his life over the last month.
Yes, elbow and wrist injuries were hampering his swing, but even still, it was the second longest power drought of his career.
Harper isn’t going to win the NL MVP this year, but on Saturday night, Harper did what MVPs are supposed to do – he willed the Phils back into the game with a two-dinger night that not only ended his drought, but kick-started the Phillies into gear.
Back-to-back at-bats with a homer for Bryce Harper! pic.twitter.com/itI1vl2lsn
— MLB (@MLB) September 14, 2024
It was at this point you knew the Phillies were going to come all the way back and win. But they still needed one more hero…
1. The Cal Stevenson Game
Enter Cal Stevenson.
Stevenson was designated for assignment by three different teams last year. He spent the majority of this season playing for the Iron Pigs, where in 101 games he posted a .907 OPS with 25 doubles, 5 triples and 8 homers. He also plays a solid center field, a nice perk for a 27-year-old career journeyman with just 43 career games at the big league level.
Called up to help replace Austin Hays, who is out indefinitely with a kidney infection, Stevenson has had some big moments over the last week, but none bigger than on Saturday night. With runners on 2nd and 3rd and two out, Stevenson came to the plate with the Phils trailing by a run.
How about some extended calls from Franzke and Kruk for the Cal Stevenson Game™️
First, The Hit pic.twitter.com/hHvtIL0SMC
— Nick Piccone (@_piccone) September 15, 2024
As if that wasn’t enough, Stevenson showed why the Phillies feel comfortable with him manning center field at Citizens Bank Park.
GO-AHEAD HIT
HOME RUN-SAVING CATCHHAVE A DAY, CAL STEVENSON! pic.twitter.com/Mt36cwzIof
— MLB (@MLB) September 14, 2024
To win over a 162-game season, you need lots of heroes. Here in September, the Phillies have had a multitude of heroes emerge from unexpected places and unexpected times.
They needed every one of them to pull off a magical series win over the Mets this weekend.
