Michael Cuddyer jogged out to left field for the ninth inning of his first home game with the Mets, having just sprinted home with an insurance run.
The largest crowd in Citi Field regular-season history had so far been rewarded for its renewed optimism, but new closer Jeurys Familia had walked the Phillies leadoff hitter, Carlos Ruiz, bringing the tying run to the plate and bringing back a familiar feeling of dread to the fans.
Then, Grady Sizemore hit a grounder to the right side, smoothly turned for a double play, as Cuddyer’s eyes shifted from first base to the crowd.