Bumbling Mets implode in the 8th inning, suffer stunning 7-6 loss to the Phillies
PHILADELPHIA — The 2023 Mets haven’t often been able to get out of their own way. Saturday against the Philadelphia Phillies, it was no different.
In this particular game, Francisco Lindor homered and Pete Alonso hit his league-leading 24th homer, and the Mets were almost able to overcome an inefficient start by Carlos Carrasco. But they couldn’t overcome an infield error and three walks and two hit batters by two relievers in the eighth inning. The Phillies scored four runs on only one hit in the eighth to come back from a 6-3 deficit to win 7-6 and take the series, 2-1.
It was another stunning loss for the Mets (35-42) in a season full of them.
Alonso’s home run came off left-hander Jose Alvarado in the seventh, an opposite-field insurance blast that ultimately wasn’t enough. Rookie reliever Josh Walker ran into trouble, loading the bases in the eighth without getting an out. Another defensive miscue, this one by Brett Baty at third, cost the Mets a run.
Jeff Brigham replaced Walker and got Alec Bohm to roll over on a cutter. It was a double-play ball and Baty fielded the grounder cleanly but froze when it came time to throw. Baty didn’t get the ball out in time to turn it and his throw pulled Jeff McNeil off the second base bag and not only allowed Bryce Harper to score but it loaded the bases once again.
Brigham then walked in a run to cut the lead to 6-5. He struck out Edmundo Sosa but hit Kyle Schwarber and Trea Turner to give the Phillies (40-37) a 7-6 lead. It was as ugly as it sounds.
Three runs were charged to Walker. One was charged to Brigham (0-2). It was the second time in club history a Mets pitcher has hit two batters back-to-back with the bases loaded and the first time since 2007.
Craig Kimbrel hit Alonso with a pitch in the ninth but was able to convert his 11th save.
Carrasco was better than his last time out but still failed to give the Mets length. The right-hander limited the Phillies (39-38) to two earned runs on five hits, walked two and struck out five over only four innings. He used 78 pitches and likely could have gone back out for the fifth but the Mets went to Dominic Leone instead.
The earned run given up by Leone wasn’t the fault of the right-hander. The Mets have struggled all season to hold runners on and Turner clearly read the scouting report, managing to round the bases after being issued a leadoff walk. Turner stole second and then third before Nick Castellanos could even swing the bat. Omar Narvaez’s throw to third base bounce into the outfield and Turner broke for home, coming in safely to cut the Mets’ lead to one, 4-3.
The Mets pushed one across the plate in the sixth to pad their lead, but it’s tough to have confidence in any lead with the way the 2023 Mets have played.
The Mets nearly handed right-hander Zack Wheeler (6-5), his fourth straight loss against his former club, scoring five runs on seven hits. But he was taken off the hook by Walker and Brigham.
Manager Buck Showalter was ejected in the ninth. It showed fire, but also frustration in a season that has seemingly gone off the rails.
()