PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A baserunning blunder contributed to another extra-inning loss for the Philadelphia Phillies.
Lucas Duda hit a two-run homer with two outs in the 11th, lifting the New York Mets over the Phillies 4-3 Sunday in the third straight game 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.
The Phillies couldn’t come up with a late, clutch hit in Saturday’s 5-4 defeat, but they looked in good position in the seventh inning when Domonic Brown singled with one out and a runner on second.
But Cesar Hernandez was held at third on the hard-hit ball to left, and Brown misjudged the play and was out trying to stretch the single into a double.
“(Brown) overran the bag,” Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg said. “He was thinking there was a play at the plate.”
Chris Young’s throw flew over the cut-off man and went home. Catcher Travis d’Arnaud threw to second baseman Daniel Murphy. Brown was about 10 feet from the second-base bag.
“I saw the throw go over his head,” Brown said. “I thought I made the right read. We’ve got to be fundamentally sound to be a good ballclub.”
The Mets didn’t have to worry about any baserunning errors in the 11th.
Duda came off the bench in the 10th to play 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,” 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 d’Arnaud, Duda hit his eighth home run deep into the seats in left-center field.
“I wanted it down, but I left it up and he hit it out,” Aumont said.
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.
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. … 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 p.m. Monday with Mets RHP Bartolo Colon (4-5, 4.73) opposing RHP Roberto Hernandez (2-2, 3.76).
Please read our comment policy before commenting.