Roman Quinn slides for winning run
The Phillies entered Friday knowing they needed to turn things around quickly if they had any thoughts about making some noise in the NL East. Thankfully, a combination of Roman Quinn's speed and Bryce Harper's prowess at the plate lifted the club to a walk-off 6-5 victory over the Mets on Friday night at Citizens Bank Park.

"Coming into the dugout there [in the middle of the ninth], it’s a 5-5 game and we’ve got a chance to win a game," Harper said. "I was happy I was able to get up there. With Q on second base, I knew I had to just put something in the outfield and he was going to score.”

The victory snapped a three-game losing streak and improved the Phils record to 6-9 at the quarter-mark of the season. It's not great by any means, but the season remains salvageable.

"We went out there and started off this series right," Harper said. "That's a big win for us after the embarrassment we put up against the Baltimore Orioles. That was pretty terrible. So to be able to start this series off against the Mets on the right foot was huge for us."

Quinn and Andrew McCutchen opened the bottom portion of the ninth with a pair of singles off Mets' hurler Seth Lugo. Harper followed with a bullet to right field that was fielded by Michael Conforto on a bounce. Quinn was waved home and though Conforto's throw beat him to the plate by several feet, he avoided a Wilson Ramos tag with a headfirst slide.

The play was reviewed, but nearly two minutes later the safe call was confirmed.

"I was a little worried," Harper said. "But once he said, 'Safe,' everybody was excited and happy. That's one of the weirder walk-offs I've had, for sure."

J.T. Realmuto added a homer in the win, his eighth of the season. Relievers José Álvarez, Blake Parker, Adam Morgan and Tommy Hunter combined to toss 4 2/3 scoreless innings following the departure of starter Spencer Howard with a blister issue in the fourth. Hector Neris blew a save opportunity and surrendered a run in the ninth, but was credited with the win.

Every player in the Phillies lineup collected at least a hit in the victory, with Quinn and McCutchen each leading the way with two.

As for Howard, the blister on his middle finger isn't considered serious. Manager Joe Girardi said he wasn't sure how it may impact the starting rotation moving forward, but Howard said he should be good to go the next time his spot comes up in the rotation. The Phillies have an off-day on Monday, so that should help the situation.

The Phils and Mets resume their series on Saturday with Aaron Nola facing Steven Matz. Nola was spectacular his last time out, collecting a career-high 12 strikeouts over eight innings against the Yankees.
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Follow Patrick on Twitter: @PGordonPBR

BY PATRICK GORDON
Managing Editor
pgordon@philadelphiabaseballreview.com

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