Despite the ninth-inning news of Osama bin Laden's death, the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies kept on playing a baseball game Sunday night. And after 14 innings and 284 minutes, the Mets won 2-1, salvaging the final game of a three-game series.
Mets Vs. Phillies: New York Finally Salvages Final Game In 14 Innings
This one began with starters Cliff Lee and Chris Young, although by the end, nobody could remember. The two starters combined to throw 210 pitches over 14 innings, allowing one total run. The Mets got on the board against Lee in the fifth on a double by Carlos Beltran that scored David Wright, while the Phillies got on the board against the Mets' bullpen in the eighth on a single by Ryan Howard that scored John Mayberry.
And for 13 innings, that was it. While neither team was necessarily starved for baserunners, no one was able to break through again until the top of the 14th when, with Kyle Kendrick on the mound, Ronny Paulino doubled home David Wright with two outs. It was the recently-activated Paulino's fifth hit of the game.
The bottom of the inning was handled by Taylor Buchholz, who worked through Pete Orr, Cole Hamels and Mayberry 1-2-3 to seal the victory. It was Buchholz's second frame, and he therefore earned the win.
For the Mets, it was a relief after a frustrating game that saw them put 22 runners on base but go just 1-for-16 with runners in scoring position. The Phillies had 14 baserunners, and went 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position. Their depleted bullpen held tight behind Lee until Kendrick finally got hit.
In the ninth inning, the crowd began chanting U-S-A after news of bin Laden’s death began to spread.
Phillies manager Charlie Manuel was ejected in the seventh for arguing a check swing.
For more on the Mets and Phillies, please check out team blogs Amazin’ Avenue and The Good Phight.
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