The Phillies suffered a stunning collapse in their series opener Thursday night, blowing a six-run, ninth-inning lead to the Mets in one of the more improbable comebacks you'll ever witness.
The visitors saved their best for last, erupting for seven runs on eight hits in the ninth including Starling Marte’s go-ahead double off closer Corey Knebel, plating Brandon Nimmo with two outs in the frame. That was Marte’s third hit of the night and his second of the inning, finishing a triple shy of what would have been his first career cycle. Prior to Thursday night, the Mets had lost 330 straight games when trailing by six or more runs in the ninth inning, according to ESPN Stats and Info.
The Phillies have now lost four straight including three in a row at home. Philadelphia squandered a brilliant performance by ace Aaron Nola (7 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 7 Ks, 1 BB), who allowed his only run on Marte’s sixth-inning solo blast. Knebel took the loss, suffering his first blown save of the season while watching his ERA balloon from 0.87 to 3.27.
The Mets, who hold a five-game lead in the division (19-9), have had the Phillies’ number this year, winning five of their seven matchups including last Friday at Citi Field when Tylor Megill, Drew Smith, Joely Rodriguez, Seth Lugo and Edwin Diaz combined to throw the second no-hitter in franchise history (Nola was also on the mound for that game).
The Phillies will have their work cut out for them Friday against three-time Cy Young winner Max Scherzer, who holds a dominant 2.20 ERA with nine wins in 13 career starts at Citizens Bank Park. To make matters worse, the Phils will likely be without Nicholas Castellanos, who left Thursday’s game with a bruised wrist. Fortunately, his X-rays were negative.
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