Mets Bullpen Struggles, Offense Stalls in 6-4 Loss to Phillies

On Saturday, the New York Mets were hoping to make it two in a row against the Philadelphia Phillies after a dominant win on Friday. Only problem is that the Mets didn’t have their star player, Francisco Lindor, who was out due to back soreness, and the Phillies did in the form of Bryce Harper.

Harper dominated with two home runs in New York’s 6-4 loss to Philadelphia. This was just after the Mets jumped out to an early 4-0 lead. Luis Severino cruised until he met Harper on those two occasions, and Mets pitching as a whole struggled against the Phillies’ potent offense. 

Mets Pitching Falters

Severino looked sharp after getting the lead. Then he met Harper. Harper hit his first home run in the top of the 4th inning. An opposite-field homer that cut the Mets lead to 4-1. Then in the top of the 6th, with 2-outs and nobody on, Severino walked Trea Turner, setting the stage for Harper again. On a 3-2 pitch, Severino hung a slider that Harper blasted to cut the Mets lead 4-3. Momentum went right back to Philadelphia. Severino’s day was done after six innings. Danny Young would come in for the 7th to try and preserve the lead. It was an interesting move by manager Carlos Mendoza.

Young gave up two consecutive hits to begin the frame. A sacrifice bunt by Brandon Marsh moved the runners into scoring position. That ended Young’s day, and Mendoza brought in Reed Garrett. After striking out Weston Wilson, Cal Stevenson hit a go-ahead double that gave the Phillies their first lead of the game. Ryne Stanek pitched the 8th and allowed an insurance run on an RBI double by J.T. Realmuto. It was a disappointing day for a pitching unit that can’t have games like this against contenders if they want to be playing October baseball. 

Phillies Bullpen Holds Mets Bats

New York’s offense went up 4-0 after the first three innings but they were shutout from there. After the Mets knocked Phillies starter Kolby Allard out of the game, former Met Taijuan Walker gave the Phillies three shutout innings to keep them in it. The Mets offense went 2-for-9 with RISP and could not score a run after the Phillies used their bullpen early. The unit missed their MVP and again displayed the inconsistencies that have hurt them all season. 

Player Of The Game: Luisangel Acuña

On a positive note, Luisangel Acuña made his debut at shortstop and notched two hits. 

On Deck

It’ll be Roberto Clemente Day around Major League Baseball on Sunday as the Mets send David Peterson to the mound against Cristopher Sánchez. The game will be telecast locally on WPIX at 1:35 p.m. EDT and broadcast on WCBS 880.

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