While Pete Mackanin informed his team Friday afternoon that he would not return next season, Mets manager Terry Collins was readying to defend himself as he entered what is certain to be his final days as manager.
The strange day at Citizens Bank Park ended with a 6-2 win over the Mets, but the game seemed secondary. The division rivals will enter next season with new managers and they will finish the weekend led by men who know they won’t return in 2018.
Mackanin, who will manage this weekend before being dismissed and moved to a front-office role, watched from the dugout as Maikel Franco, Jorge Alfaro, and Cesar Hernandez homered.