Franco, offense lead Phillies by Mets

Despite falling to an early three-run deficit, the Philadelphia Phillies beat the New York Mets behind home runs from Adam Haseley, Maikel Franco and Scott Kingery. The Phillies are now 74-68 and sit just two games behind the Chicago Cubs for the second National League Wild Card spot.

This game did not start well for the Phillies. After quickly retiring two to start the first inning, starting pitcher Vince Velasquez allowed a walk followed by back-to-back home runs by Wilson Ramos and Robinson Cano that gave the Mets a 3-0 lead.

In the third inning, the Phillies started to chip away at the deficit against Mets starter Noah Syndergaard. After Andrew Knapp walked and Cesar Hernandez singled him to third, Jean Segura hit a sacrifice fly to make is 3-1.

In the fourth, Haseley hit a two-out, opposite-field home run to make it 3-2. Haseley has been very impressive of late:

Adam Haseley, last 12 games:
.359/.419/.538, 5 XBH, 5 RBI, 6 R, 4 BB, 6 K
In addition to hitting very well, the rookie has made two excellent, run-saving defensive plays during this span. If he continues this, he may just play himself into a starting role on next year's team.

— Jonny Heller (@jonnyheller) September 8, 2019

Velasquez settled down after the first inning, allowing baserunners in the second, third and fourth innings, but keeping the Mets scoreless.

The Phillies took the lead in the fifth on a two-run double from Corey Dickerson that came with two outs to make it 4-3. The lead didn’t last long, however.

After Velasquez walked two batters and recorded just one out in the bottom half of the inning, he was relieved by Jared Hughes. Hughes walked the lone batter he faced, and Ranger Suarez allowed a run to score on a Brandon Nimmo single before retiring the next two batters to escape the jam.

The Phillies regained the lead in the top of the sixth. After Rhys Hoskins doubled and moved to third on a Kingery groundout, pinch-hitter Phil Gosselin singled him home to give the Phillies a 5-4 lead. Franco, the next batter, crushed a two-run home run to make the lead 7-4:

???#RingTheBell pic.twitter.com/H6t9UtmQ7g

— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) September 8, 2019

In the bottom of the sixth, Phillies reliever Jose Alvarez quickly loaded the bases while recording zero outs. He allowed two runs on a Ramos groundout and Cano sacrifice fly, but the Phillies were able to escape the inning with no further damage.

The Phillies added to their lead in the top of the seventh on a Kingery two-run home run that made it 9-6:

V regal. ? #RingTheBell pic.twitter.com/eQ7iQYF6S7

— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) September 8, 2019

After the Phillies loaded the bases on two walks and a Franco double, pinch-hitter Bryce Harper, making his first plate appearance since being hit on the hand in Friday night’s game, walked and increased the lead to 10-6.

The Mets put runners on first and third with no outs in the bottom half of the inning, but they only scored one run on a Joe Panik single as Phillies reliever Blake Parker was able to escape the jam with no further damage.

The Phillies got a scoreless eighth inning from Nick Vincent and in the ninth inning, Hector Neris preserved the lead despite allowing a couple of baserunners and the Phillies won, 10-7.

All of a sudden, the Phillies are only two games out of the second National League Wild Card spot. The schedule toughens up now starting with a four-game set at home against the Atlanta Braves, but if they can hold onto any momentum, the Phillies may remain in this race into the end of September.

Shibe Vintage Sports Starting Pitching Performance

• Vince Velasquez: 4.1 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 4 BB, 5 SO
• Noah Syndergaard: 5.0 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, BB, 5 SO

Phillies Nuggets Player of the Game: Maikel Franco

It was hard to pick just one player of the game here, since so many Phillies contributed offensively in this win. But Franco, who spent much of the last month in Lehigh Valley, came through with a huge two-run home run that put the Phillies up 7-4 at the time, and added a double later in the game that helped eventually add on to the lead. Franco’s time in Philly is likely coming to an end, but games like these will always remind fans what he could have been.

Ticket IQ Next Game

• Monday, 7:05 vs Atlanta Braves at CBP
• NBC Sports Philadelphia
• Sportsradio 94 WIP; WTTM 1680 (Spanish)

MORE FROM PHILLIES NATION

1. What Would A Long-Term Deal Look Like For J.T. Realmuto?
2. Phillies Reportedly Considered Waiving Maikel Franco Before Season’s End
3. Minor League Mash-Up: Howard, Bohm Highlight Regular Season
4. The Phillies Future In Center Field Is Murky
5. Former Phillie Aaron Altherr Designated For Assignment For Fourth Time In 2019
6. J.T. Realmuto Is Having A Special Season
7. Mike Scioscia Reportedly Would Have Interest In Managing Phillies
8. Bryce Harper: It Would Be ‘An Absolute Joke’ If J.T. Realmuto Doesn’t Win Gold Glove Award
9. Bohm, Howard Among 6 Phillies Prospects Bound For Fall League 
10. Bryce Harper And Wife Kayla Welcome First Child