Castellanos wins Game 2 for Phillies with 9th-inning single, top Mets 7-6

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Nick Castellanos sometimes amazes himself with intuition he can win a game on the final swing.

As he approached the plate with two outs in the ninth inning, with two runners on and the score tied, Castellanos had a hunch he could win Game 2 of the NL Division Series for the Philadelphia Phillies.

Even in the face of an 0-2 slider against Mets reliever Tylor Megill.

“I did like that pitch when I saw it,” Castellanos said.

As Phillies fans unleashed a throaty roar that echoed outside Citizens Bank Park, it was clear they liked that pitch, too.

Castellanos ripped a winning single that scored Trea Turner and sent the Phillies to a dizzying 7-6 win over New York on Sunday and evened the NLDS at one game apiece.

“I said to the guys, Rocky would be proud,” postseason star Bryce Harper said. “Never-die mentality. Just a great game.”

This win meant more than any fictional tale.

Castellanos, who led the major leagues this season with four walk-off hits, tossed his helmet and was mobbed by teammates on the infield as a game that seemed to slip away one inning earlier turned into one more comeback for the NL East champions.

He ran over to his son, Liam, a steady presence at the ballpark during his tenure, and the two exchanged a big “Let's Go!”

“When I'm old and no one cares about me as a baseball player anymore, we’re going to be home and be able to remember and look back at that,” Castellanos said.

His performance in Game 2 will live long in Philly sports lore. Castellanos had two big swings and misses in the fourth inning for an 0-2 count. He didn’t bite on a sweeper in the dirt and mouthed his displeasure when he heard boos from fans.

His tying homer in the sixth made it 4-all, and Castellanos scored the go-ahead run on Bryson Stott's two-run triple in a three-run eighth that put Philadelphia ahead 6-4.

“He came up big for us a lot this year,” Stott said. “It feels like every walk-off hit is Nick, and that’s who he is. And his heart rate doesn’t get up, stays the same. And gets the swing off.”

Megill retired the first two batters of the ninth and walked Turner and Harper, who also homered and scored twice. Castellanos followed with the Phillies’ fifth career postseason walk-off hit.

“Just made a bad pitch, backed up on me,” Megill said.

After falling behind 0-2, Castellanos took a ball in the dirt, then pulled a hanging slider into left and sparked the towel-waving crowd at the ballpark into a frenzy.

“Unbelievable. Unbelievable,” Castellanos said. “If he blows a fastball by me, so be it. I’d rather that than swing at something in the dirt. It was incredible but the series is even. Now we go to New York and there’s a lot of baseball left.”

Game 3 is Tuesday in New York, the Mets’ first home game since Sept. 22.

“No excuses. It’s been hard, but here we are,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. “I’m just looking forward to get back to Citi Field.”

In just the second postseason game between the NL East rivals, the Mets and Phillies were pushed from pillar to post over the final four innings, each game-changing swing topped by one even more emotional.

Mark Vientos hit a pair of two-run homers for the Mets, who got solo shots from Pete Alonso and Brandon Nimmo.

“I think we put on quite a show for everybody in attendance and everybody watching on TV,” Nimmo said.

Harper's two-run homer and Castellanos' solo drive in a three-pitch span from Luis Severino sparked the Phillies' comeback from a 3-0, sixth-inning deficit.

“Missed my location and paid for it,” Severino said.

After Nimmo's seventh-inning homer off Orion Kerkering gave New York a 4-3 lead, Stott lined a go-ahead, two-run triple down the right-field line on his 27th birthday after Harper walked and Castellanos singled off Díaz in the eighth.

“He threw a slider that I thought I could finally hit, and was able to pull it down the line,” Stott said.

Díaz, who has a 9.37 ERA at Citizens Bank Park, threw 104 pitches in three outings over a seven-day span.

Díaz faulted his approach to Harper, saying “I think I was a little bit lazy to him instead of attacking him.”

J.T. Realmuto's grounder scored Stott for a 6-4 lead, but Vientos hit a two-run homer off Matt Strahm, an All-Star lefty who failed the Phillies for a second straight game.

Harper — who wore a “Showman” headband — snapped the Phillies out of their offensive malaise when he drove Severino's fastest pitch of the day, a 99 mph fastball, 431 feet into the shrubbery in dead center as fans roared.

“That was sick,” Harper said. “Best fanbase in the world.”

Phillies fans were still going wild when Castellanos followed with a tying homer to left-center, then sprinted around the bases.

Now it's off to New York.

“Both teams, man,” Harper said. “Punch for punch.”

UP NEXT

Phillies RHP Aaron Nola and Mets LHP Sean Manaea start in Game 3.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB

New York Mets' Brandon Nimmo reacts after hitting a home run against Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Orion Kerkering during the seventh inning of Game 2 of a baseball NL Division Series, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

New York Mets' Brandon Nimmo reacts after hitting a home run against Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Orion Kerkering during the seventh inning of Game 2 of a baseball NL Division Series, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

New York Mets' Pete Alonso reacts after hitting a home run against Philadelphia Phillies pitcher José Ruiz during the sixth inning of Game 2 of a baseball NL Division Series, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

New York Mets' Brandon Nimmo (9) celebrates with Pete Alonso after hitting a home run against Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Orion Kerkering during the seventh inning of Game 2 of a baseball NL Division Series, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

New York Mets' Mark Vientos reacts after hitting a two-run home run against Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Matt Strahm during the ninth inning of Game 2 of a baseball NL Division Series, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

New York Mets' Mark Vientos hits a two-run home run against Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Matt Strahm during the ninth inning of Game 2 of a baseball NL Division Series, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

New York Mets' Mark Vientos celebrates hitting a two-run home run against Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Matt Strahm during the ninth inning of Game 2 of a baseball NL Division Series, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

Philadelphia Phillies' Nick Castellanos reacts after hitting a one-run single against New York Mets pitcher Tylor Megill during the ninth inning to win Game 2 of a baseball NL Division Series, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Philadelphia Phillies' Nick Castellanos celebrates with Kyle Schwarber and teammates his one-run single against New York Mets pitcher Tylor Megill during the ninth inning to win Game 2 of a baseball NL Division Series, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Philadelphia Phillies' Nick Castellanos celebrates with teammates his one-run single against New York Mets pitcher Tylor Megill during the ninth inning to win Game 2 of a baseball NL Division Series, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Philadelphia Phillies' Bryce Harper follow through after hitting a two-run home run against New York Mets pitcher Luis Severino during the sixth inning of Game 2 of a baseball NL Division Series, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Philadelphia Phillies' Bryce Harper reacts after hitting a two-run home run against New York Mets pitcher Luis Severino during the sixth inning of Game 2 of a baseball NL Division Series, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Philadelphia Phillies' Nick Castellanos (8) celebrates with Bryce Harper after hitting a home run against New York Mets pitcher Luis Severino during the sixth inning of Game 2 of a baseball NL Division Series, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

Philadelphia Phillies' Nick Castellanos celebrates after the Phillies won Game 2 of a baseball NL Division Series against the New York Mets, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Philadelphia Phillies' Brandon Marsh, right, pours water over Nick Castellanos, center while he is interviewed after the Phillies won Game 2 of a baseball NL Division Series against the New York Mets, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Philadelphia Phillies' Nick Castellanos celebrates his one-run single against New York Mets pitcher Tylor Megill during the ninth inning to win Game 2 of a baseball NL Division Series, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Philadelphia Phillies' Bryce Harper, left, and Nick Castellanos celebrate after scoringon a two-run triple hit by Bryson Stott during the eighth inning of Game 2 of a baseball NL Division Series against the New York Mets, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

SEATTLE (AP) — Isaiah Simmons was added to the field goal block team for the New York Giants this week.

The move paid off on Sunday as the clinching moment for an unlikely Giants victory.

Bryce Ford-Wheaton returned the kick Simmons blocked 60 yards for a touchdown with 55 seconds left as the clinching score in the Giants' 29-20 win over the Seattle Seahawks.

With Seattle lining up for a potential tying score, Simmons cleanly jumped over the gap between the guard and long snapper in the offensive line and swatted the kick, which bounced into the arms of Ford-Wheaton for a TD that sent the home fans to the exits.

“I’m normally not on field goal block. So that was my first time, today,” Simmons said. “I said I was going to block a punt or a field goal today.”

The blocked kick was the capper to nearly perfect day for the Giants. Playing without two of its best offensive players, New York (2-3) put together a masterful game plan that built a 23-13 lead midway through the fourth quarter. The Giants then came up with one big special teams play with Seattle on the verge of potentially forcing overtime.

The block was installed by special teams coordinator Michael Ghobrial earlier in the week. Guard Laken Tomlinson was pushed down by New York's Dexter Lawrence II, allowing a lane for the athletic Simmons to leap through and make the block.

Ford-Wheaton then did his part, corralling the loose ball with nothing but open field ahead.

“It just happened exactly how we installed it. We just knew (Simmons) is a freak athlete. He has the ability to do something like that and we trust him," Ford-Wheaton said.

The conclusion was stunning after Seattle seemed on the verge of an unlikely rally and possibly handing the Giants another one-score defeat. Geno Smith threw a 5-yard TD to Jaxon Smith-Njigba with 2:09 remaining to cap a 95-yard touchdown drive. New York was unable to pick up a first down and punted back to Seattle, only to see Smith dart 32 yards on the first play to get the Seahawks (3-2) into field goal range.

But the drive stalled and Simmons came through with the blocked kick.

“We talked about who would be a good candidate to do the jump and Isaiah came to mind, and he executed it perfectly,” Giants coach Brian Daboll said.

Daniel Jones directed the whole production with a strong performance. Despite playing without rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers and running back Devin Singletary, the Giants created a plan of short passes and gashing runs that allowed New York to control possession and keep Seattle’s offense on the sideline.

Jones finished 23 of 34 and threw touchdowns of 7 yards to Wan’Dale Robinson and his 30-yard strike to Darius Slayton early in the third quarter gave the Giants a 17-10 lead they wouldn’t relinquish.

Rookie fifth-round pick Tyrone Tracy rushed for 129 yards filling in for Singletary’s absence, while Slayton had eight catches for 122 yards with Nabers out.

The Giants rolled up 420 total yards and had more than 37 minutes of possession.

“We’ve said since training camp how much we like our skill guys and how deep we think those positions are. And you saw a lot of guys step up today and make a lot of plays,” Jones said.

The win could have been even more comfortable for New York if not for a goal line fumble from Eric Gray that Rayshawn Jenkins returned 102 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter. But that also proved to be the only highlight on a frustrating day for the Seahawks.

Smith was 28 of 40 for 284 yards, and rushed for another 72 yards, but Seattle’s run game was mostly ineffective. Smith was sacked seven times – three of them coming from Lawrence.

Playing on a short week after losing in Detroit on Monday night, the Seahawks were outcoached and looked a step slow throughout. There were sloppy penalties, bad tackling and poor protection of Smith.

And there’s not much time for correction with a Thursday night divisional matchup against San Francisco looming.

“We played bad. That's the reality," Smith said. "I don't think we executed well. I thought we came out slow. Talked about starting fast, that's not how we want to start, and then turned the ball over, not finishing drives. All of the above get you beat in the NFL.”

Seattle outside linebacker Uchenna Nwosu injured his thigh in the first half and was ruled out at halftime. Nwosu was making his season debut after missing the first four weeks with a knee sprain sustained in the preseason. He also missed most of last season with a torn pectoral muscle.

Seattle cornerback Riq Woolen was in and out of the lineup with an ankle injury suffered in the first half and Derick Hall injured his foot in the fourth quarter.

Giants: host Cincinnati next Sunday night.

Seahawks: host San Francisco on Thursday night.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (29) runs with the football as Seattle Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) tries to tackle during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

New York Giants linebacker Brian Burns (0) celebrates with teammate safety Tyler Nubin (31) after sacking Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (29) runs with the football during the first half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) fumbles while hit by Seattle Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8), left, celebrates with teammate wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson (17) after Robinson caught a 7-yard touchdown pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Seattle Seahawks safety Rayshawn Jenkins (2) runs for a 102-yard touchdown after recovering a fumble during the first half of an NFL football game agains the New York Giants, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

Seattle Seahawks safety Rayshawn Jenkins (2) runs for a 102-yard touchdown after recovering a fumble during the first half of an NFL football game agains the New York Giants, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Seattle Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) reacts after tackling New York Giants tight end Theo Johnson (84) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll stands on the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) runs with the football during the first half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (29) runs with the football as Seattle Seahawks cornerbacks Devon Witherspoon (21), left, and Tre Brown (22), right, look to tackle during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) passes during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) looks to pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (86), left, celebrates with teammates after scoring a 30-yard touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)