PHILADELPHIA -- Thrill rides don’t always end in exhilaration for everyone.

Only the Phillies and their devoted fans stepped off smiling after taking a turn on baseball’s carousel Sunday night, though they were certainly left dizzy with delight.

They likely had to cover their eyes a few times, too.

What made Sunday’s 7-6 win over the New York Mets in Game 2 of the National League Division Series such a white-knuckle, nerve-wracking but eventually joyous affair was that, for several innings, it didn’t appear very likely for the home team.

The Phillies had played baseball with the same absence of offensive fervor that had characterized their National League Championship Series collapse last year against Arizona and Game 1 of this NLDS on Saturday.

It’s still a painful memory for Phillies followers how last year, a second straight World Series trip appearing imminent, the Phillies lost 5-1 and 4-2 to Arizona amidst the pandemonium at Citizens Bank Park, which was supposed to be their haven. They had 11 total hits in those two games.

Then came Saturday, when the Phillies couldn’t unleash the firepower to support a 7-inning Zack Wheeler outing that was simply among the best in franchise postseason history. They lost 6-2 thanks to a bullpen implosion but while also managing just five hits.

The Phillies only had three hits through five innings Sunday and, down 3-0 after the Mets batted in the sixth, their championship aspirations seemed to be in serious jeopardy.

Then they became their old selves, and it was absolutely riveting.

The Phillies have too many proven, highly compensated, All-Star-type players capable of hitting a home a run or simply getting on base to keep a rally alive to be so inept with the bat, even against good pitching.

Suddenly, in the sixth inning, their offensive audacity returned, and they needed every ounce of it to counter the Mets.

“I thought,” Phillies manager Rob Thomson said, “from about the fifth, sixth inning on our bats were really good.”

Trea Turner singled and Bryce Harper and Nick Castellanos each homered to make it 3-3. With New York back up 4-3, Harper walked, Castellanos singled and Bryson Stott, batting fifth because Alec Bohm had been benched for a game in favor of Edmundo Sosa, launched a two-run triple and then scored on J.T. Realmuto’s infield dribbler.

That 6-4 lead was quickly erased by the Mets’ fourth homer of the night and second by Mark Vientos, as those in the sellout audience of 45,679 wondered once again why Phillies relievers couldn’t get guys out.

But it was still tied and three familiar and reliable names on this day – Turner, Harper and Castellano – then teamed to end it with two walks and Castellanos’ walk-off single.

“That’s our kind of baseball,” Kyle Schwarber said afterward, knowing also it’s what the home fans had come to expect, until the aforementioned three previous playoff games.

Castellanos’ walk-off RBI was the first by a Phillie in the postseason since Jimmy Rollins’ Game 4 double in the 2009 NLCS win over Los Angeles.

They go to Citi Field for Tuesday’s 5 p.m. Game 3 buoyed by having Aaron Nola on the mound but knowing Mets starter Sean Manaea’s second-half success keyed New York’s playoff push.

Continuing to swing the bats emphatically and in a timely manner – Turner had been 0-for-16 in the previous four postseason games before getting two hits Sunday – will be imperative, though the Phillies will need their bullpen to also rediscover its knack.

“I feel like at times you don't see the light at the end of the tunnel and then stuff starts to happen,” Turner said, “you see some things go your way, and then you feel like you're in the driver's seat, and the next thing you know it's taken from you again.”

The Phillies took the lead when it didn't appear likely, lost it and swiped it back Sunday, ensuring only that they’re chance to make this a joy ride remains possible when they take another spin in Game 3 Tuesday.

Contact Kevin Tresolini at ktresolini@delawareonline.com and follow on Twitter @kevintresolini. Support local journalism by subscribing to delawareonline.com and our DE Game Day newsletter.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Phillies lineup becomes its old self in NLDS win over New York Mets