Bryce Harper has big afternoon as Phillies bounce back to beat Mets in Game 1

Final Score: Phillies 3, Mets 2

Bryce Harper homered and drove in two runs against Max Scherzer, helping the Philadelphia Phillies to bounce back after a disastrous loss Thursday and defeat the New York Mets in Game 1 of a Mother’s Day doubleheader.

Harper gave the Phillies an early 1-0 lead by taking his former Washington Nationals teammate Scherzer deep to the tune of 390 feet in the bottom of the first inning:

As Harper walked back to the dugout after his home run, he found a camera and yelled “I love you, Mom!” so that the TV cameras could hear him. The reigning National League MVP wasn’t done putting on one of his best performances of the season, in honor of his mother Sheri.

In the bottom of the third inning, Harper delivered a two-out single that plated Kyle Schwarber, extending the lead to 2-0:

With Didi Gregorius being placed on the injured list (retroactive to May 5) on Saturday, Bryson Stott was recalled and started at shortstop in Game 1. Stott paid immediate dividends, singling to left field off of Scherzer in the bottom of the fourth inning, which scored Jean Segura and extended the lead to 3-0.

Kyle Gibson was excellent through the first five innings Sunday afternoon, but ran into some trouble in the top of the sixth inning.

While Gibson did induce a double-play ball off the bat of James McCann with runners on the corners and no one out, the groundout allowed Starling Marte to score.

Before the inning was completed, Francisco Lindor plated Brandon Nimmo with a double off the right field wall, which would have been a home run in five Major League stadiums, and probably also at Citizens Bank Park on a day with better weather:

Seranthony Domínguez flirted with disaster in the top of the seventh inning, walking Pete Alonso and Eduardo Escobar to begin the frame. However, Domínguez rallied to strike out Dominic Smith, Marte and Luis Guillorme to keep the lead intact.

From there, José Alvarado and Corey Knebel shut the door, allowing the Phillies to win the first game of a doubleheader. With the win, the Phillies improve to 12-15.

Cristopher Sánchez will make his first start of the season in Game 2 of the doubleheader, as the Phillies finish their weekend series with the division-rival Mets.

Shibe Vintage Sports Starting Pitching Performance

• Max Scherzer gave up 10 hits over six innings, but limited the Phillies to just three runs, while striking out seven batters. The future Hall of Famer has a 2.92 ERA after his first six starts with the Mets.
• Kyle Gibson scattered six hits over six innings, allowing two earned runs. Gibson struggled after being acquired from the Texas Rangers last summer, but has been impressive to start the 2022 season. The 34-year-old has a 2.94 ERA, 3.59 FIP and 0.5 fWAR in six starts.

Phillies Pay Homage On Mother’s Day

Phillies Nugget Of The Game

Ticket IQ Next Game

• Game 2 of doubleheader vs. Mets at Citizens Bank Park
• TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia
• Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP

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