Categories: 2019 Postgame Recaps

Harper ejected, Hernandez makes crucial error as Phillies fall to Mets

Gabe Kapler came to Bryce Harper’s defense after Harper was ejected Monday. (Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire)

Final: Mets 5, Phillies 1

Rain fell for much of the night at Citi Field, leading to a 105 minute rain delay ahead of the Philadelphia Phillies-New York Mets Monday evening tilt. The Phillies may have been better served if the rain caused the game to be altogether postponed.

The Mets got on the board first, with star rookie Pete Alonso placing a beautiful RBI double into right field in the bottom of the third inning:

Former Phillie Wilson Ramos would single in Alonso later in the inning, allowing the Mets to take a 2-0 lead.

Rhys Hoskins cut the Mets lead in half in the top of the fourth inning, when he tagged Matz for a 401-foot solo home run:

It was Hoskins’ first home run since his two home run game against the Washington Nationals on April 8. Even still, Hoskins now has six home runs in 2019.

Hoskins’ home run took a back seat to another event that took place in the fourth inning. Bryce Harper struck out right before Hoskins came to the plate, with two of the last three strikes right on the edge of the strike zone. On his way back to the dugout, he let home plate umpire Mark Carlson know that he was unhappy with his calls. Four batters later, Cesar Hernandez looked at a called strike that was unquestionably out of the zone. Harper added in some commentary from the dugout, leading to him being ejected and Gabe Kapler – who, somehow, wasn’t ejected – screaming at Carlson in a manner that likely made Larry Bowa proud:

With Harper out of the game, the Mets added to their lead in the fifth, with newfound Phillies killer Jeff McNeil hitting his first home run of the season:

The Mets were able to add a couple crucial insurance runs in the top of the seventh.

Arrieta was pulled in favor of Jose Alvarez after allowing a leadoff single to Juan Lagares. Alvarez seemingly induced an easy double-play ball off of the bat of pinch-hitter J.D. Davis, but tried to stop the ball, only for it to trickle off his glove and throw off Cesar Hernandez at second base. Hernandez, who has had a rough couple days in the field, had to adjust, and had no real chance of still turning a double play. Still, he tried to flip the ball to Phil Gosselin at shortstop, only for the ball to go right by Gosselin. It was a play that Hernandez was heavily criticized for, and while he probably should have just thrown to first base, Gosselin, who isn’t a natural shortstop, probably can’t escape the play without any blame.

Following a Brandon Nimmo shallow fly-out, Alvarez hit McNeil on the hand, loading the bases up. Juan Nicasio came in to try to clean up the mess, but hit Alonso, forcing a run in. Michael Conforto added a fifth run with a deep fly ball to center field, plating Davis, and giving the Mets the four-run edge they would ultimately win the game by.

In a division full of questionable bullpens, it appears that if the Mets get the ball to the ninth inning with a lead, Edwin Diaz is going to finish the game. He did just that Monday evening, setting the Phillies down in order in a non-save situation in the top of the ninth.

Shibe Vintage Sports Starting Pitching Performance

Baseball is a strange sport. Steven Matz pitched against the Phillies last Tuesday at Citizens Bank Park, and didn’t record a single out. He allowed the Phillies to put up eight runs, six of which were earned, in an eventual 14-3 rout. Less than a week later, the 27-year-old got a chance to redeem himself against those same Phillies, and seemed to enjoy the home cooking at Citi Field.

Across six innings, Matz allowed just three hits and one run, while striking out six. Rhys Hoskins’ home run was the only damage the Phillies were able to do against Matz, with Cesar Hernandez stranded at third base in the third inning.

Arrieta, meanwhile, pitched into the ninth inning last Wednesday against the Mets, helping the Phillies to earn a series victory over their division rivals. He gave the Phillies a chance to win Monday night, but certainly wasn’t as effective as he was last week against the Mets. In six plus innings, Arrieta allowed seven hits. He did strike seven Mets out, but ultimately allowed four runs, three of which were earned.

Phillies Nuggets Player of the Game: Steven Matz

One of the great things about baseball is you don’t know from game-to-game, or start-to-start, what you’re going to get. In tonight’s case, though, the Mets got a strong start from Matz, making him this evening’s player of the game.

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