In one of their most impressive wins of the season, the Mets rallied from an early 3-0 deficit to defeat the Philadelphia Phillies 13-3 at Citi Field on Monday night, taking the first game of this three-game series.
In doing so they cut the Phillies’ lead in the NL East to six games.
The comeback was led mostly the lower part of the Mets’ lineup, as Mark Vientos, Tyrone Taylor, Jeff McNeil, and Luis Torrens combined for 10 hits and 11 RBI.
Torrens had the biggest night, going 3-for-5 with a three-run home run and a career-high five RBI.
Here are some takeaways…
– The Mets bucked the odds by coming back from a 3-0 deficit against lefty Cristopher Sanchez and his 2.46 ERA — the second best in National League. In fact, in games the Phillies scored two or more runs for Sanchez, they had been 17-2. Yet, the Mets responded in a big way, taking a 6-3 lead and knocking him out in the sixth inning. It was only the third time all season that Sanchez has allowed more than three earned runs in a start.
– Vientos had the key hits, a run scoring double in the fourth in the middle of a three-run rally, and an opposite-field double to right in the fifth to put the Mets ahead 4-3.
– Torrens blew the game open in the seventh with a three-run home run, only his third home run of the season.
– Kodai Senga made a rare start on four days rest (he usually gets an extra day) and it didn’t go well, as he pitched four-plus innings, allowing 10 baserunners on six hits, three walks, and a hit batsman. He was down 3-0 early but it could have been worse.
He left runners at second and third in the third inning, and struck out Bryce Harper to end the fourth, leaving two more runners on base. When he hit JT Realmuto with a 3-2 pitch leading off the fifth, Senga was at 93 pitches and Carlos Mendoza quickly pulled him.
Senga’s ERA rose to 2.73 from 1.47 before he gave up 21 earned runs in his last seven starts, all since coming back from his hamstring injury.
– The Mets’ bullpen had an outstanding night, as five relievers held the Phillies in check the rest of the way, getting 15 outs without allowing a hit. It started with lefty Jose Castillo, called up from the minors on Monday to replace Reed Garrett, who went on the IL with an elbow injury. In relief of Senga, he got a double play ball against Alec Bohm, the first hitter he faced, and pitched a hitless fifth.
Tyler Rogers and Brooks Raley did likewise, getting the game to the eighth inning with the score at 6-3.
Mendoza had Ryan Helsley up for the eighth, which would have been a bit of a gamble in a close game, considering how he’s been struggling, but the Mets scored four runs in the bottom of the seventh to take the pressure off and Helsley responded with a 1-2-3 inning, including one strikeout.
Finally, another struggling reliever, Ryne Stanek, pitched a clean ninth to close out the game.
– The hot-hitting Vientos had another big night, going 2-for-4 with two doubles and two RBI. Over his last eight games Vientos has five home runs, four doubles, and 13 RBI. In doing so Vientos has his OPS up to .709 for the season, the first time it has been over .700 since May 16th.
Game MVP: Luis Torrens
Now the regular catcher again with Francisco Alvarez on the IL, Torrens responded with perhaps the biggest offensive night of his career.
He went 3-for-5 with a three-run HR and a career-high five RBI. His double in the sixth delivered an important run, putting the Mets up 6-3, and his home run in the seventh broke the game open, making it 10-3.
Highlights
Mark Vientos gets the Mets on the board! pic.twitter.com/f8YHt8umgu
— SNY (@SNYtv) August 26, 2025
Brandon Nimmo brings home Mark Vientos!
The Mets are within one! pic.twitter.com/yiYHCSvwY5
— SNY (@SNYtv) August 26, 2025
JEFF McNEIL TIES THE GAME IN THE 4TH! pic.twitter.com/og5Ea9QeFJ
— SNY (@SNYtv) August 26, 2025
Ron Darling on José Castillo: "He pitches to double plays"
Next pitch: pic.twitter.com/qsFuljHcLP
— SNY (@SNYtv) August 26, 2025
SWAGGY V AUGUST.
MARK VIENTOS GIVES THE METS THE LEAD! pic.twitter.com/cuu4xgMWDF
— SNY (@SNYtv) August 26, 2025
LUIS TORRENS DELIVERS!
He brings home Tyrone Taylor with an RBI double! pic.twitter.com/RHwbUoBlXB
— SNY (@SNYtv) August 26, 2025
IT'S A MARTE PARTAY!
Starling Marte makes it 6-3 Mets! pic.twitter.com/cs5D3unE0G
— SNY (@SNYtv) August 26, 2025
WE'VE GOT SUPER LUIS TORRENS!
10 STRAIGHT RUNS FOR THE METS! pic.twitter.com/qmoS0leYdb
— SNY (@SNYtv) August 26, 2025
Ryan Helsley got kudos from his teammates after throwing a scoreless 8th pic.twitter.com/fvcu9kwRQ4
— SNY (@SNYtv) August 26, 2025
A 5-RBI NIGHT FOR LUIS TORRENS! pic.twitter.com/0tIsFF96GT
— SNY (@SNYtv) August 26, 2025
What's next
Sean Manaea (1-2, 5.15 ERA) takes the mound against Jesus Luzardo (12-6, 4.10 ERA) as the Mets and Phillies continue this crucial three-game set on Tuesday at 7:10 p.m. on SNY.
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