Categories: 2022 Postgame Recaps

Phillies bullpen blows 6-run lead in ninth in disastrous loss to Mets

Final Score: Mets 8, Phillies 7

It wasn’t quite a laugher, but the Philadelphia Phillies entered the top of the ninth inning with a six-run lead, having had a relatively stress free evening.

And in the matter of one inning, the New York Mets hit the ball all over the yard against the Phillies bullpen, making you feel like you were watching a performance from 2020. Only this time, there weren’t cardboard cutouts in the stands watching the bullpen melt down, there were hundreds — to put it conservatively — of screaming Mets fans, watching what feels like a team of destiny make an epic comeback.

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Alec Bohm rolled over on a pitch from Taijuan Walker to shortstop in the bottom of the first inning that looked like it would be a double-play ball. Instead, Francisco Lindor — typically one of the best defenders in the sport — botched it, allowing Kyle Schwarber to advance to second base and Bohm to reach safely at first.

A night after a pretty embarrassing offensive effort in a loss to the Texas Rangers, the Phillies turned Lindor’s error into a big first inning.

Harper doubled into the left field corner off of Walker to get the Phillies on the board:

Before the inning was out, J.T. Realmuto and Jean Segura both delivered RBI singles, giving the Phillies a 4-0 edge after one.

Castellanos added his second RBI groundout of the night in the fifth inning, but he and Harper were just getting warmed up.

Already up 5-0, Harper hit a 427-foot home run into the Mets bullpen off of Walker with one out in the bottom of the fourth inning:

A pitch later, Castellanos hit a 379-foot home run of his own:

Starling Marte would hit a 380-foot home run off of Aaron Nola in the top of the sixth inning, but that proved to be an anomaly in a relatively stress-free night for the former All-Star.

Unfortunately for the Phillies, everything went to hell in the ninth inning.

Lindor hit a two-run home run off of James Norwood that traveled 421 feet in the top of the ninth. While Norwood would get one out, Joe Girardi brought in Corey Knebel for what turned out to be a save situation after hits from Pete Alonso and Jeff McNeil.

Mark Canha greeted Knebel by hitting a ball directly back at him, with the Phillies closer unable to recover in time to prevent a run from scoring or another runner from reaching first base.

Before the inning was over, J.D. Davis, Brandon Nimmo and Marte drove in three more runs, giving the Mets an 8-7 lead.

In the home half of the ninth, Edwin Díaz retired the Phillies in order, completing what’s certainly the worst loss of an increasingly frustrating season.

With the loss, the Phillies now have a four-game losing streak, and their record sits at 11-15.

Weather permitting, the Phillies will continue their weekend series with the Mets tomorrow night. Kyle Gibson is slated to toe the rubber for the Phillies, and will be opposed by three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer. After Thursday’s collapse, you’re left to wonder if it wouldn’t be better if weather doesn’t permit.

Shibe Vintage Sports Starting Pitching Performance

Taijuan Walker had been limited to seven innings so far this season because of a shoulder injury, but all seven had been of the scoreless variety and against the Phillies. That trend didn’t continue for the former All-Star, who gave up nine hits and seven runs, six of which were earned.
Aaron Nola got a chance to front run Thursday and ran with it. Nola allowed just three hits and one earned run over seven innings, while striking out seven. His ERA on the season sits at 3.38.

Postgame Notes

After the game, Joe Girardi responded to a great question from Alex Coffey of The Philadelphia Inquirer by admitting this was one of the toughest losses of his managerial career, and “probably the toughest one since I’ve been here.”

Nick Castellanos departed the game after being hit by a pitch in the bottom of the sixth inning. The Phillies say that Castellanos has a right wrist contusion and is day-to-day. Initial X-Rays on his wrist were negative, but he will be re-evaluated Friday.

Phillies Nugget Of The Game

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