Remembering Mets History (2024) Mets Win Second Game of London Series Finishing Off with Rare Catcher 2-2-3 Double Play

Sunday June 9th, 2024: Game Two of the 2024 London Series. The series marked the third time a two-game set of MLB teams played at London Stadium in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in the Stratford district of London, England.

Usually a home to Soccer, special adjustments had to be made in order to have the stadium be suitable for MLB baseball play. Even a larger clubhouse was bult to accommodate the players since pro soccer clubhouses are smaller.

A big crowd of 55,074 came out for the second game of the Mets Phillies matchup with Philadelphia being the home team.

Festivities: Both Countries Nation Anthems were sung before the game. 

Instead of a ceremonial first pitch, Wrexham co-owner Rob McElhenney & his wife actress Kaitlin Olsen did a ceremonial double play as she rolled a ball to former Phillie & Mets nemesis Chase Utley who then threw to Bryce Harper at first. Also, the Phillie Phanatic dressed as a Beefeater serving tea to the ESPN crew.

Former Mets Hall of Famer Mike Piazza was on hand as was former Met Daniel Murphy.

The Mets went down in order in the top of the 1st. In the bottom of the inning the Phillies got a leadoff single from Kyle Schwarber then Jose Quintana walked the next two batters to load the bases. Alec Bohm grounded into a double play, but the first run scored.

In the bottom of the 4th. Nick Castellanos reached on an infield single. He was able to score on Edmundo Sosa's double & then Whit Merifield singled bringing in Sosa for a 3-0 Phillies lead.

Former Met Taijuan Walker held the Mets down into the 6th inning. 

Luis Torrens collected a one out single & Pete Alonso a two out walk. Walker was relieved by Gregory Soto who immediately gave up an RBI double to Brandon Nimmo & two run single to J.D. Martinez tying up the game at three.

In the 7th the Phillies went ahead on pinch hitter David Dahl's HR off Dedniel Nunez.

The game stayed that way until the top of the 9th inning, as Matt Strahm & Jeff Hoffman held New York scoreless for two more innings.

But Jose Alvarado walked Tyrone Taylor to start the inning. Jeff McNeil then singled. Mark Viento's then hit a bouncer to third base, Alec Bohm tried to bare hand it but dropped the ball for an RBI infield single allowing Tyrone Taylor to score the tying run. Luis Torrens then drew a walk to load the bases & Jose Iglesias came to run for him.

After striking out Francisco Lindor, Jose Alvarado hit Pete Alonso in the thigh with a pitch bringing home Jeff McNeil & giving New York a 5-4 lead. Next catcher J.T. Realmuto was charged with a passed ball unable to handle a low outside pitch that got passed him allowing Iglesias to score, giving the Mets a much-needed insurance run.

In the top of the 9th Reed Garret was on for New York, as Christian Pache led off with a base hit. After Kyle Schwarber popped out, Garrett hit J.T. Realmuto with a pitch putting the tying run on base.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza brought in Drew Smith to relieve Garrett & face Bryce Harper. Harper dropped a base hit to shallow right field to load the bases. 

Drew Smith then walked Alec Bohm bringing Philadelphia to within a run. Nick Castellanos bounced a ball off the plate, Luis Torrens fielded it stepped on the plate & threw to first base where Pete Alonso handled the low throw for the game ending double play.

Quotes- Carlos Mendoza: "What a great play, the instincts not to only go get the baseball, but having the ability to comeback, touch the plate & then execute the throw. Unbelievable play. I don't think I've ever seen it before".

Trivia: This was actually the first time a player grounded into an actual 2-2-3 game ending double play. There have been seven games ending on a double play involving the catcher & only once on a play scored a 2-3 pop up throw him out double play in 1940.

The Mets won the game 6-5 splitting the London Series. The Mets were still eight games under
.500. But from here on they went 61-37 posting the best record in baseball from June on thru the end of the season & reached the post season.