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Phillies-Mets game includes four hit batsmen, a catcher's interference, ejections, challenges and more

Phillies-Mets game enters the Twilight Zone

By Matt Monagan

Entering Tuesday's Phillies-Mets game, there was one overriding theme fans were looking forward to. It would be Matt Harvey's first start at Citi Field since 2013. It was the first home #HarveyDay in nearly two years. People were just a little bit excited:

Harvey pitched well, allowing just three runs and striking out eight over six innings. And yes, the Mets did get the 6-5 win. But the story of the game wasn't REALLY about Harvey. After the first couple of innings, the game seemed to take a turn for the strange. It may have even crossed over into another dimension. That dimension we speak of, is ... THE TWILIGHT ZONE:

FOUR hit batsmen

Wilmer Flores and Michael Cuddyer were hit on New York's side (Cuddyer left the game), while Freddy Galvis and Chase Utley were hit in the Philadelphia contingent. Galvis' HBP caused one of the weirdest replay reviews in the history of replay reviews. The call eventually stood:

Catcher's interference and an ejection

Hey, why not? Travis d'Arnaud was called for a catcher's interference on Ryan Howard in the top of the fifth inning. Terry Collins disagreed and was thus ejected:

Speaking of Challenges ...

Another weird replay review occurred in the fifth inning, when Lucas Duda was possibly safe, but not called safe, then safe, but maybe out? Here, just watch the video below:

Alert! Non-third baseman playing third base

After David Wright also came out of the game with a hamstring injury, the Mets were left without another infielder to play third base. Luckily, Paul Blart was in attendance.


Kidding! Backup catcher Anthony Recker, who'd never played the position before in his life, was sent out to handle the duties:

Luckily for the Mets, no balls were hit to the left-side in the ninth and Jeurys Familia closed out the win.

Actual highlights

Yes, we have those, too. Kirk Nieuwenhuis made a sensational grab in the third inning:

Chase Utley hit two home runs, including one off of Harvey in the first:

And Jeff Francoeur even got in on the act with a pinch-hit home run in the ninth. Frenchy homers are a rare, furious breed.

Eventually, the Mets and Phils came back out of the Twilight Zone and into their respective clubhouses. Maybe they'll go back again tomorrow, maybe not -- only the baseball gods (and Rod Serling) know for sure. And the Dark Knight. He probably knows:

Read More: Philadelphia PhilliesNew York Mets