NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 25: Dominic Smith #2 of the New York Mets gestures to his teammates after he hit a game-winning walk off single in the eighth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies during game one of a doubleheader at Citi Field on June 25, 2021 in New York City. The Mets defeated the Phillies 2-1 (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
Even though Aaron Nola was dominant on the mound for the Philadelphia Phillies, the New York Mets got the win on a walk-off hit by Dominic Smith on Friday.
In Game 1 of Friday’s doubleheader between the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies, Aaron Nola was in the spotlight. He had tied just tied former Mets great Tom Seaver’s record for most consecutive strikeouts in MLB history with 10. But it was the Mets who got the last laugh over Nola and the Phillies.
In the bottom of the eighth inning, the Mets had Francisco Lindor start on second base and saw first baseman Pete Alonso intentionally walked as a strategy to pitch to left fielder Dominic Smith. That strategy by Phillies manager Joe Girardi backfired, as Smith hit a single up the middle of the infield to knock in Lindor to win the game 2-1.
Mets spoil Aaron Nola’s historic start with walk-off hit by Dominic Smith
Nola was dominant on Friday, as he struck out 12 batters and allowed just two hits in 5.1 innings of work. Not only that, but Nola provided Philadelphia’s lone run for the game on an RBI double in the top of the fifth inning.
The Mets reached extra innings thanks in part to Lindor, who knocked in third baseman Luis Guillorme on a single in the bottom of the seventh inning. That paved the way for Smith to secure the “W” for New York, as they continue to build upon their lead in the NL East division.