Mets break, then extend club mark for monthly HRs

PHILADELPHIA -- When the Mets tied their franchise record for home runs in a month with five games left to go in August, it seemed like a matter of time before their new-look offense would strike again.

On cue, the Mets entered uncharted territory with a trio of home runs in the middle innings of Thursday's 9-5, 13-inning win over the Phillies. Travis d'Arnaud's two-run shot off Aaron Harang in the fourth inning was their 41st of the month, snapping a tie with the Mets' previous club record of 40 set in June 2006. An inning later, Yoenis Cespedes extended the record to 42 with his own two-run homer, and Kelly Johnson hit a game-tying solo shot for No. 43.

Combined, the homers helped the Mets reach a franchise-record 73 runs over their final seven games in Colorado and Philadelphia, the highest total over any seven-game stretch in their history. In two of their last four games, they overcame five-run deficits.

"For all that the pitchers have carried us this year, it's nice for the offense to be able to return the favor," third baseman David Wright said. "These games have been big for us ... knowing that, hey, we can overcome a five-run deficit. We can overcome a six-run deficit. Just go out there and keep plugging away, and we certainly did that this series."

Cespedes leads all Mets with eight home runs in August, followed by Curtis Granderson (six) and d'Arnaud (five). As a club, the Mets pace the Major Leagues in homers since July 25, averaging nearly two per game. And there's still four games to go in the month -- three vs. the Red Sox and one against the Phillies.

"They've just gone out and put some good at-bats together," manager Terry Collins said. "Obviously, the home runs have helped a lot."