» Stags visit final homestand at Citi Field

Last Saturday, 40 lucky deer were part of history, joining 44,152 fans at Citi Field to form the fifth-largest crowd in the ballpark's history. Chasing to win the National League East Division, the Philadelphia Phillies were one win away from securing the division. The 85-69 New York Mets battled the Atlanta Braves for the final Wild Card spot and the final ticket to October baseball. Technically, tensions could be higher, but this is baseball in late September; Every game is about life and death.

Saturday night's game between the Mets and the Phillies was a buzzer-beating affair, and the home team did not disappoint.

The goal was for students to arrive at Citi Field by 2 p.m. so the gates could open just in time and they would have the opportunity to grab a ticket and explore the park before first pitch. New York traffic didn't allow that.

Hearing the first two innings of the game from friends providing play-by-play to others on the bus amid stop-and-go traffic made the experience extra special. especially when Kyle Schwarber scored first with a home run in the leadoff. The handful of Philadelphia fans on the bus regretted missing the Blackbomb, while Mets fans grew nervous about what starting pitcher Sean Manaea had planned for the evening.

At the end of the second inning, the students on the park grounds were on their way to the first visible goal when a loud roar came from inside the stadium. For a brief moment everyone paused to look around and see what all the fuss was about. Some of the more serious fans only needed to glance at the outdoor scoreboard to piece together what had happened. Francisco Alvarez was starting and had most likely just hit a home run.

Knowing that Alvarez scored the equalizer gave Mets fans even more momentum in the group. Luisangel Acuña's ensuing home run practically gave them a run. After receiving a bright orange hat with the Mets logo as a thank you to the fans, the last thing we needed to do was take a seat and not miss any more of the action.

By the end of the third, the Fairfield crowd was in the left field corner, section 132, ready to watch the rest of this National League rivalry.

The Mets remained ahead 2-1 until the fifth inning, when Nick Castellanos hit a home run to left field to tie the score – giving the swarm of Phillies fans along the third base line reason to celebrate.

The sixth inning saw the first pitching change of the night when the Phillies opted to put Jose Ruiz on the mound to face the back end of the Mets lineup. Ruiz managed to get two fly outs from the Mets, but couldn't hold on and had to walk Harrison Bader. With two outs, Acuña stepped to the batter's box as the sellout crowd eagerly awaited the outcome of the rookie's at-bat.

Acuña got a 95 mph sinker, struck out and sent a bloop into right field that looked like a routine foul ball but ended up in the game because Nick Castellanos couldn't help but keep his hands off it. Bader ran home and sent the crowd into a frenzy with the impression that he had once again taken the lead from the Phillies, but the play was ultimately ruled a one-two under the basic rules as the ball went over the wall after landing in foul territory was. Ruiz got the final out and the Mets were forced to accept the draw and strike again later.

Sean Manaea stayed on the floor for the seventh time and faced Bryce Harper for the second time. Citi Field had a long history with the first baseman, booing Harper for just being there during his at-bat and celebrating wildly when he flew to left field after seeing seven pitches from Manaea. Alec Bohm was next and scored to make it 1-1, knocking the ball away from Manaea's foot, which bounced toward second base but was stopped by Acuña and first whipped to Alonso to get Bohm out. Castellanos flew into the middle and the team was eliminated.

To cap off the seventh game, the Phillies sent Orion Kerkering to hopefully get them through the ninth. Against Starling Marte, Kerkering threw five pitches and walked the designated hitter. Kerkering brought back the struck out Mark Vientos, but then threw a wild pitch to Pete Alonso, putting Brandon Nimmo on base with two men on.

Needing a clutch hit more than anything, the crowd practically begged Nimmo to make a run, and the homegrown Met delivered with a single to right through the gap in left field. Marte scored and Alonso settled for third base. Alvarez took care of unfinished business, smoking a ball to center field and sending the Philadelphia outfield into a state of miscommunication that gave the Mets two more runs and gave them a 5-2 lead.

The reaction from the home crowd was electric. Strangers high-fived, children jumped and others cheered. The visitors' reaction can be summed up in two sentences: “You three and you can't catch that!?” What do we do?” said a deer supporting the Phillies.

In the bottom of the eighth, Manaea retired after giving up a single to JT Realmuto. The Phillies took advantage of the pitching change to Reed Garrett and switched the batting order with pinch hitters to force a run off a fielder's choice, making the score 5-3. Unwilling to bleed any more, Carlos Mendoza called Edwin Díaz, the Mets' star closer, to the bullpen.

The camera attacking the bullpen clearly revealed what was coming next for the Metropolitans. Before the trumpets sounded, the home crowd was on its feet. The crowd stood as the lights flickered and the beat of Timmy Trumpet's “Narco” announced Díaz's appearance. The right-handed pitcher threw six consecutive hits to Schwarber, dashing any dreams of another Schwarbomb at Citi Field that evening.

Philadelphia closer Tyler Banks was tasked with keeping the score as close as possible. Acuña left and was challenged over the choice of an outfield player, who initially left Jose Iglesias. Marte walked and was moved to third after Alonso sent an RBI single to center field, making the score 6-3.

Heading into the ninth, Díaz picked up two outs and was just three hits away from securing a win for the Mets. Bohm was dealt a 90 mph slider by the Puerto Rican closer, who got it to Vientos, who threw it to Alonso. The Mets won 6-3.

After a brief celebration in the stands and an acceptance speech from Nimmo, the crowd quickly made its way to beat the postgame traffic. Chants of “Let's Go Mets!” filled the stairwells as fans filed out, and the Stags headed home to Fairfield with memories of good baseball.

The October chill and playoff mentality crept into Citi Field early on. Turning around an 0-5 start, piggybacking on internet sensations and pulling off plays that could only be guaranteed by luck – this Mets team is not the “pivot squad” the front office described in spring training.

Thanks to the RecPlex and the FUSA Programming Board, these Stags were able to witness a portion of what will hopefully be a rags-to-riches escape from their neighbors 60 miles south. To clinch a playoff spot, the Mets must get two from the Braves this week or finish 4-2 on their regular season schedule. In other words, the work isn't done yet.

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