PHILADELPHIA _ By the time the Mets took the field in Philadelphia, they were five and a half games back of a wild-card spot. They were hanging by a thread, their season seemingly in the balance during this road trip. They could not afford further missteps.
First, they had to worry about halting a six-game skid that had many pronouncing them dead _ again.
For most of Friday, that appeared in question. The Mets were lifeless for the first six innings against a division rival.
Then, in two innings, New York rallied to grab control of a game it seemingly needed to win. The Mets tied it with a run in the seventh and quieted Citizens Bank Park with 10 runs between the final two innings. They are breathing after an 11-5 victory over the Phillies.
The Mets had two hits over six and trailed by a run against Aaron Nola. An inning later, they loaded the bases, and Wilson Ramos came off the bench and extended his career-best hitting streak to 23 games by lining a game-tying single into center field.
After Justin Wilson pitched a clean seventh, the Mets erupted. They have not put up many crooked numbers over their recent slide, so the next two innings must have felt great.
New York loaded the bases in the top of the eighth, bringing up Amed Rosario with one out. He broke the tie with a two-run single off Mike Morin.
Todd Frazier provided the necessary insurance with two three-run homers in half an hour. The first gave the Mets a five-run lead in the eighth and the next helped him tie a career high with six RBIs. Right before Frazier's second homer, Michael Conforto hit a two-run blast.
Suddenly, the Mets had a 10-run lead because of an outburst that could propel them to more success this weekend.
What may go unnoticed _ but should not _ is Zack Wheeler's effort. Wheeler, frustrated with his lack of results recently, kept the Mets in the game while the bats were cold.
Twice, he allowed a leadoff double, only to strand the runner. The only run he allowed over six innings came on a fifth-inning sacrifice fly. But unfortunately for Wheeler, his team trailed when he threw his final pitch.
J.D. Davis prevented another run from scoring when he fielded a base hit and gunned down a man at home. The Phillies challenged it because it looked close, but the call stood.
This time, there would be no late-game drama. You can thank the offensive explosion for that. The Mets had not put together one of these in some time, and perhaps it will signify a positive turn going forwarded.
The Mets dug themselves a hole, and because of it, have been playing meaningful baseball since late July. But in a second half full of important series, this next week on the road felt like the make-or-break stretch. Some already believe the Mets' season is over, but if this trip does not go well, this group may be done for good.
With Friday's late rally, the Mets began trying to save their season.
