In a game full of incredible pitching, huge homers and clutch hits, it was a play by outfielder Tyrone Taylor that really helped the Mets keep the momentum en route to a 7-2 win in Game 3 of the National League Division Series.
With one out in the fourth inning and the Mets only up 1-0, Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm launched a booming line into right-center field that split Taylor and Starling Marte. Taylor bare-handed the one-hopper off the wall and threw a strike to Francisco Lindor at second base.
The Mets shortstop grabbed the throw and put down a tag that erased Bohm and erased the possible tying run.
"Huge. Winning plays, winning at-bats. Not giving them extra 90 feet, extra outs," manager Carlos Mendoza said of the Taylor play after the game. "Today, Taylor executed a ball that hits the wall, bare-handed and throws a perfect one-hop to second base. And then Lindor, don’t forget, not an easy play with the runner coming in. Not only is he catching it, he’s putting a good tag.
"It’s a leadoff double and who knows what happens in that inning. We get him at second base and we get the momentum back. We need to continue to make those plays, have that type of mentality and continue to execute."