Phillies downward spiral continues in loss to Mets

Final Score: Mets 4, Phillies 2

NEW YORK — The Phillies are once again digging themselves a big hole.

The offense combined to score just three runs in three games as they were swept in New York against the Mets. The Phillies got a great start out of Ranger Suárez, an OK one from Aaron Nola and a very concerning one from Taijuan Walker.

Starting pitching has been an issue, but the lack of offense is at the heart of the Phillies’ recently struggles. Both can explain why the Phillies are six games under .500 on June 1.

Maybe the best thing this team needs is a three-game series in Washington. These are not the same Nationals that the Phillies went 16-3 against in 2022, but they can think of this weekend set as a respite from whatever was going on in New York.

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The afternoon started out promising for the lineup. The Phillies broke Max Scherzer’s scoreless streak at home with two runs in the first inning.

In his first at-bat against his longtime teammate, Trea Turner lined a ball down the third-base line that would have normally been a double if not for a strange bounce off the wall. Bryce Harper walked and the two former Nats pulled the double steal against Scherzer. A run scored on the play after Francisco Alvarez’s throw to third sailed into the outfield. Nick Castellanos brought in the run on a sacrifice fly.

Scherzer proceeded to dominate the Phillies yet again. He struck out eight over the next six innings and allowed only one Phillies baserunner to reach scoring position.

In 30 career starts against the Phillies, Scherzer has a 2.56 ERA.

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The last thing the Phillies need is another injury. It’s why it’s concerning Taijuan Walker left Thursday’s game after just four innings.

He was ineffective, but the most concerning part was that his fastball velocity was way down. He threw only two fastballs that were at least 93 mph. His sinker was down to 89 in the fourth in an at-bat against Daniel Vogelbach. He’s been around 93 mph this season.

Both Walker and manager Rob Thomson say that he is healthy and it was just another off day.

“I just couldn’t get it going too much,” Walker said. “I think the thing for me is the walks, getting behind in counts and stuff. I work better when they put the ball in play early and I had some innings where they did it. … It’s really just trying to attack the zone the whole time.”

He allowed three runs, including two on a home run from Mark Canha in the fourth that gave New York the lead.

Walker began losing feel for the strike zone with two out in the third inning. He walked Brandon Nimmo and Francisco Lindor and then surrendered an RBI single to Jeff McNeil to open the scoring for the Mets.

Shibe Vintage Sports Notes

• From the Mets: Canha, who drove in 11 runs against the Phillies over his last three starts against them, is tied with Mike Piazza (2002) and Michael Conforto (2018) for the most RBIs against the Phillies in a three-game span. Canha drove in five in a 10-9 Phillies loss last season in the season-series finale.
• Nick Castellanos, who went 3-for-3 with an RBI, is tied for third in the National League with seven three-hit games.

Ticket IQ Next Game

• Friday, June 2 vs. Washington Nationals at Nationals Park
• 7:05 p.m.
• TV: NBC 10
• Radio: SportsRadio 94WIP

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