NEW YORK—The Mets circled the bases in record fashion like the cartoon Gas-House Gorillas in front of Bugs Bunny, then handed fans the shirts off their backs.
They hoped a 17–0 rout of the Phillies on a melancholy Sunday was not this season’s Citi Field finale.
“It really kind of sunk in today that it was the last regular-season homestand,” pitcher Noah Syndergaard said. “The clubhouse was like, we don’t want it to be the last game we play here this season.”
On a difficult day filled with sadness following the death of Miami star pitcher Jose Fernandez, the Mets produced the largest shutout victory in their 55-season history and the team’s highest-scoring game at Citi Field. Asdrubal Cabrera hit a seventh-inning grand slam, Jose Reyes had four RBIs with a two-run double and a pair of bases-loaded walks, and Curtis Granderson reached 30 home runs for the first time since 2012.
Even slumping Jay Bruce had his first multi-hit game since Sept. 4.
New York moved one game ahead of San Francisco for the NL’s top wild card, with St. Louis a half-game behind the Giants for the second spot, and fans chanted “We want playoffs!” in the ninth inning. Hoping for their first consecutive postseason appearances since 1999-2000, the Mets close with three games each at Miami and Philadelphia after finishing 44–37 at home.
Injured second baseman Neil Walker expects success on the road.
“Hopefully spray some champagne,” he said.
New York improved to 23–11 on its stretch run with another pitching performance from a surprise fill-in. Robert Gsellman, a 26-year-old making his sixth big league start, allowed three hits over seven innings, struck out a career-best eight and walked two, leaving to a standing ovation. He also reached on a bunt single in the third for his first major league hit; Philadelphia’s defense was puzzling, given that Gsellman (3-2) has a torn left rotator cuff and can’t swing.
If the Mets reach the Division Series, the tattooed right-hander could get a start because of injuries to Matt Harvey, Jacob deGrom, Steven Matz and Zack Wheeler. Gsellman made his big league debut on Aug. 23.
“It kind of came pretty fast,” he said.
