Max Kranick's 10th-inning heroics helps Mets complete sweep of Phillies: 'He was unbelievable today'
Max Kranick was forced to come in without notice after Edwin Diaz's early exit, but the reliever continued his impressive season by getting out of trouble in the 10th inning.
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It was a tightly-contested game between the Mets and Phillies on Wednesday afternoon at Citi Field
The score was tied 2-2 heading to the 10th when Edwin Diaz, in his second inning of work, got one out before allowing an RBI single to give the Phillies the lead. The Mets closer was in obvious discomfort and was lifted from the game with what was revealed to be a left hip cramp.
Enter Max Kranick.
The young right-hander was tasked with getting the Mets out of further trouble without the usual bullpen warmups, but that didn't seem to bother him.
After allowing a walk to J.T. Realmuto and an Alec Bohm single, Kranick got Bryson Stott and Max Kepler to fly out to keep the score, 3-2.
"Looking back at it, I probably should have thrown a couple more [warmup pitches], I would have been more ready," Kranick said after the game with a smile. "That’s my fault, I’ve never done that before. Next time I’ll be ready."
Mets skipper Carlos Mendoza said he was trying to avoid using Kranick after the 27-year-old threw two innings two days prior.
Kranick knew the plan, but understood that with how the game was going, and extra innings were imminent, he figured he would be used and kept moving around in the bullpen just in case. And it helped.
"He was unbelievable today...Comes in there in a very difficult spot and continues to make pitches. Continues to stay on the attack," Mendoza said of Kranick. "The moment is never too big for him. Trusting his stuff in the zone and got a huge out for us."
Kranick executed his pitches and allowed the Mets a chance to win it in the bottom of the 10th, which they did thanks to Starling Marte.
He said he's found success this season by staying in the moment and not think too far ahead. He wants to "go pitch-by-pitch" and "win every pitch." That has led to his impressive 2.81 ERA over 10 appearances this season.
And as Wednesday proved, he can be counted on in even the most difficult situations.
"Getting hot took a little bit, but happy I was able to come through for the team," he said.
Thanks to Kranick's heroics, the Mets (18-7) own the best record in baseball, have won seven straight and are 12-1 at home for the first time in franchise history.
