PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Yet another extra-inning game was fine by the New York Mets, provided they won.
Lucas Duda hit a two-run homer with two outs in the 11th, lifting the Mets over the Philadelphia Phillies 4-3 Sunday in the third straight meeting between the teams to run long.
The Mets and Phillies split a pair of 14-inning games the previous two days, combining to play nearly 11 hours.
Duda came off the bench in the bottom of the 10th at first base, then connected in the 11th to help the Mets win for the fifth time in six games.
“We are getting tired, (but) they are great to win,” Mets manager Terry Collins said. “They lift the spirits up and it does get the energy up, even though you’re tired physically. You know you can win these kinds of games.”
Ryan Howard hit an early two-run homer for the Phillies. Marlon Byrd hit a solo shot in the 11th.
“In close games, extra-inning games, not to be able to just get the job done is very frustrating,” Philadelphia manager Ryne Sandberg said.
Josh Edgin (1-0) struck out the side in the 10th. Jenrry Mejia held on for his sixth save in as many chances.
Phillippe Aumont (0-1), called up prior to the game to provide some help to the tired Philadelphia bullpen, got the first two outs of the 11th. After a walk to Travis d’Arnaud, Duda hit his eighth home run deep into the seats in left-center field.
“I was lucky enough to square a ball up,” Duda said. “I was just trying to hit it hard.”
Duda did get a respite from not starting, but said all of the innings can take a toll.
“It’s both physically and mentally draining,” he said. “Just continue to go. They have to play, too.”
The teams conclude their rare five-game series on Monday night. Adding Sunday’s time of 3 hours, 29 minutes, the first four games have taken 17 hours, 29 minutes over 48 innings, and the teams have employed 46 pitchers.
Aumont was one of three relievers promoted by the teams from the minors Sunday. The Phillies also added left-hander Cesar Jimenez while the Mets brought up left-hander Dana Eveland Triple-A.
Although neither figured into the decision, each team’s starter gave the bullpen some rest. Cole Hamels went seven strong innings for the Phillies, allowing one earned run and six hits. He struck out eight and walked four, though three were intentional.
Jonathon Niese tossed eight innings and gave up two runs. His lone mistake came against Howard, who had been 3 for 22 with 10 strikeouts before homering in the fourth for a 2-1 lead.
Knowing the Mets’ bullpen was thin, Niese’s game plan was to attack the strike zone early and often.
“I was going to pound the zone and they were going to hit me hard early or they were going to get outs early,” Niese said. “I wasn’t trying to trick guys out there. I wouldn’t say it was a burden, but I knew it was important (to go deep in the game) because I knew our bullpen was getting beat up lately.”
Niese departed after throwing 91 pitches and said he could have gone two more innings if needed.
Collins appreciated the outing by his starter.
“Tremendous effort by a lot of people starting with Niese,” he said. “We needed somebody to go that deep in the game.”
New York came back with a run in the sixth on Curtis Granderson’s sacrifice fly to tie it at 2.
The Mets had taken a 1-0 lead in the fourth on Chris Young’s sacrifice fly that scored David Wright. Third baseman Reid Brignac made an over-the-shoulder catch in foul territory, but his strong throw wasn’t in time.
NOTES: Jimenez pitched a scoreless eighth. … Mets CF Juan Lagares left in the 10th due to right ribcage pain. He was a late scratch from the lineup on Saturday due to the same injury. Collins said Lagares would return to New York Sunday night to be evaluated. … To make room for Eveland, New York sent OF Matt den Dekker to Triple-A. … The Phillies placed Jeff Manship on the 15-day DL with a right quad strain and sent OF-1B Darin Ruf to Triple-A. They also designated left-hander Jeremy Horst for assignment. … The series concludes at 7:05 Monday with Mets RHP Bartolo Colon (4-5, 4.73) opposing Phillies RHP Roberto Hernandez (2-2, 3.76).
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