The game was played beneath the lights, though it had all the hallmarks of the trashiest daytime talk shows. The proceedings were complete with outsized personalities, spectacular incompetence and fans who were eager for a fight.
Matt Harvey, pitching at Citi Field for the first time in 19 months, seemed willing to give it to them. And in a touchy moment that best symbolized Tuesday night's wild 6-5 victory over the Phillies, the returning ace plunked longtime Mets villain Chase Utley between the 2 and 6 on the back of his uniform.
Utley finished with two homers and three RBIs.