Bryce Harper left the game in the third with a right-hand contusion. (Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire)
Despite some late innings heroics from J.T. Realmuto, the Philadelphia Phillies (72-68), have dropped their third straight as the New York Mets (72-68) walked-off on an RBI base-on-balls from Pete Alonso.
If you recall, the 2019 season began with a Harper injury scare. He was hit with a 96 MPH fastball in a Spring Training game against the Blue Jays. The 26-year-old only missed a couple games after being hit, but the scene of Harper writhing in pain on the ground terrified Phillies fans. Six months later, Harper was hit again with a fastball. This time, it was in a late September game the Phillies had to have more than any other game they played all year. He was very fortunate to get his hand up in time as the ball was destined to hit his head. Fortunately for Phillies fans, the injury does not seem too serious. Word got out shortly after that Harper left the game with a right-hand contusion.
Hopefully, this is only a right-hand contusion.
pic.twitter.com/bYipm4n9wk— Phillies Nation (@PhilliesNation) September 7, 2019
The game remained scoreless until the bottom of the third. Jeff McNeil chased a pitch outside the zone and drove in Todd Frazier with an RBI single to right. New York doubled their lead an inning later on Michael Conforto’s 29th home run of the season:
Conforto’s fourth inning home run nearly left the stadium.
pic.twitter.com/5CGxCjK65Y— Phillies Nation (@PhilliesNation) September 7, 2019
Once again, J.T. Realmuto contributed with his arm and his bat. He threw out his 35th baserunner of the season without any trouble to end the third inning:
Throwing out baserunners is an art form J.T. Realmuto has mastered.
pic.twitter.com/ZpjTDCmY7b— Phillies Nation (@PhilliesNation) September 7, 2019
The Oklahoma native would knock in his 76th RBI on the season in the fifth with two outs. His RBI double off Steven Matz had split the gap in left-center and scored Segura, who smacked a two-out double of his own to keep the inning alive:
Here’s more video proof that J.T Realmuto is the best catcher in baseball.
pic.twitter.com/OhIfaPyMRG— Phillies Nation (@PhilliesNation) September 7, 2019
The Phillies tied the game in the sixth. With two outs, Maikel Franco, who has a .340 batting average and .698 slugging percentage against the Mets this season, knocked a line drive RBI single to center field. The Phillies were not able to add on more. With the bases loaded and two men gone, lead-off hitter Jean Segura flew out to right to end the threat.
The bullpen was excellent in relief of Eflin up until the eighth inning. Jared Hughes and Ranger Suarez combined to throw two scoreless innings. In the eighth, Blake Parker struggled to find the zone. Kapler then replaced Parker with Hector Neris, who was greeted by Pete Alonso at the plate. Alonso swung at a first pitch two-seamer and pulled a ground ball to the right side past the diving Franco, giving the Mets the lead. Former Phillie Wilson Ramos, whose 26-game hitting streak came to an end on Wednesday against the Nationals, added on another with an RBI single.
Edwin Diaz came in to attempt a save in the ninth. With one out and two strikes, it looked like Diaz would set down the Phillies easily. Then Segura fought off a good fastball and hit it the other way to right for a single. Realmuto stepped up to the plate as the tying run. For some reason, Diaz thought it was a good idea to try to put Realmuto away with a slider. That decision came back to bite and the undisputed best catcher in baseball deposited the ball into the right field seats, tying the game up at four apiece:
BEST. CATCHER. IN. BASEBALL
pic.twitter.com/YFFCtUw0nD— Phillies Nation (@PhilliesNation) September 7, 2019
The Mets would string together a two-out rally of their own in the ninth. Mike Morin would retire the first two batters easily on pop ups to Franco at third. Both Juan Lagares and J.D. Davis would single. Nick Vincent then came into the game, looking to redeem himself after giving up the game-winning home run in yesterday’s loss against the Reds. He’s still looking for redemption as he would eventually walk in the winning run.
Shibe Vintage Sports Starting Pitching Performance
Zach Eflin: 5.0 IP, 6H, 2R, 2ER, 0BB, 6SO
Steven Matz: 5.2 IP, 6H, 2R, 2ER, 3BB, 4SO
The goose egg in the walk column really stands out His sinker usage was heavy early on, but as the game moved along, he started to rely more on his secondary pitches. It may be too early to declare that early season Eflin is back, but it sure looks like the 25-year-old has regained his confidence.
Phillies Nuggets Player of the Game: Pete Alonso
The man known as Polar Bear may have put the nail in the coffin in the Phillies season. His RBI walk with the bases loaded and two men out won the game for the Mets. He also gave the Mets the lead in the previous inning with an RBI single.
Ticket IQ Next Game
- Saturday September 7th at 7:10 vs. New York Mets at Citi Field
- NBC Sports Philadelphia; Fox Sports 1
- Sportsradio 94 WIP; WTTM 1680 (Spanish)
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