Phillies vs. Mets: Pete Alonso beats Phils almost single-handedly

Phillies

Phillies drop another series to Mets: 'We're giving them way too many opportunities'

/ by Corey Seidman

Phillies

At some point, you'd think the Phillies would be able to finish off one of these doubleheaders.

They took Game 1 on Sunday with a one-run victory over Max Scherzer but fell flat in the series finale, losing 6-1 to the Mets. The Phillies have won both games just once in their last 28 doubleheaders dating back to 2013. Once. They've lost both games 14 times and split the other 13.

Pete Alonso did more than enough damage to secure the win for his team, hitting a two-run home run in the first inning off of lefty Cristopher Sanchez and a three-run shot in the fifth off of right-hander Nick Nelson.

In nine games against the Phillies this season, Alonso has four home runs and 13 RBI. Both are career-highs for Alonso vs. the Phils and the season series isn't even halfway over.

The Phillies are 12-16 on the season, 3-6 in nine meetings with the Mets and 4-9 against the NL East. They went 1-4 on this week's homestand.

"We're giving them way too many opportunities," Jean Segura said. "I feel like in every series with them, we've had a chance to win every game. Even the no-hitter they threw against us, we had a lot of good at-bats, a lot of walks, lineouts.

"Right now, it's just their moment. When it turns around and it's our moment, watch out because we're going to win a lot of games."

The Phillies now hit the road for a seven-game West Coast trip filled with challenging pitching matchups. In Seattle, the Phillies are set to face Chris Flexen (3.10 ERA), Robbie Ray (2021 AL Cy Young winner) and Logan Gilbert (4-0, 1.36).

At Dodger Stadium, they're scheduled to face Clayton Kershaw (1.80 ERA), Julio Urias (1.88) and Walker Buehler (2.12).

"We set a tone today. We faced Max, we beat Max," Segura said. "We beat one of the best pitchers in the game. I don't think this is going to be an issue. Whoever steps on the mound, it doesn't matter how good you are, we have to play baseball."

The Phils mustered 10 hits in the first game Sunday, doing just enough to hand Scherzer his first regular-season loss since May 30, 2021. But after Segura's solo home run in the second inning of Game 2, Chris Bassitt and the Mets' bullpen held them in check.

"Second game just kind of got away from us," Bryce Harper said. "Bassitt threw the ball really well, I've never seen him before. I think a lot of these guys in here haven't seen him. He's pretty dang good. Being able to see him today, get to know him a little bit, hopefully next time we can do what we need to do."

The 2022 Phillies have played nine series and lost seven.

Making matters worse, they could be without two members of their rotation during the trip. Zack Wheeler and Zach Eflin were both placed on the COVID-related injured list Sunday morning.

"We've got a tough task ahead with Seattle and L.A.," Harper said. "Playing two good teams, we've got to go out and play our game and understand we need to go out there and win."

Eflin's absence forced the Phillies to start Sanchez on Sunday, and Wheeler's turn comes Tuesday in Seattle.

In between, the Phils will try to get on track Monday night at T-Mobile Park behind Ranger Suarez.

"You look at the homestand, we really had a chance to probably win four games and we weren't able to do it," manager Joe Girardi said. "Maybe this will be a good thing for us, to get on the road."