It was the pitching, though, that told the story of the night. Manager Carlos Mendoza pulled David Peterson from a two-run game after 3 2/3 innings and 64 pitches. Peterson clearly was not in top form — he had allowed eight hits and four runs and had another runner on base — but it nonetheless represented a very quick hook.

The Mets targeted relievers with above-average stuff while putting together a bullpen full of pitchers who attack hitters in different ways.

Red October, here we come. The Phillies dismantled the Mets on Friday, 12-2, punching their ticket to the postseason for the third consecutive season.