The New York Mets (71-82) began their final road series of the 2023 season on Thursday as they took on the Philadelphia Phillies (84-69). Even though New York would rally from a pair of two-run deficits, they ultimately could not pull off the comeback as Philly took the opener, 5-4.

The Phillies were able to get out in front early against David Peterson with a pair of first-inning runs. After a pair of walks and a Bryce Harper single, Peterson nearly got out of the inning, but both runners came around to score on a two-run single by Nick Castellanos.

Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

However, the Mets would answer back against Ranger Suárez (4-6, 3.89 ERA) in the second. Francisco Lindor led off the inning with a base hit and stole second. It was one of two steals on the night for the Mets shortstop, who now has 30 stolen bases on the year.

Two batters later, Jeff McNeil got the Mets on the board with an RBI double. Then, Brett Baty would drive him in with a single to tie the game at two.

In the bottom of the third, Philly took the lead back thanks to a solo home run by Alec Bohm and a sacrifice fly by Castellanos.

For Peterson, the problem in this start was his inability to get out of innings quick enough. In that third inning, the Phillies had a total of 15 foul balls against him, which raised his pitch count up. The left-hander went four innings, allowed four runs on five hits, walked two, and struck out seven on 94 pitches (63 strikes) in the no-decision.

Despite not going as many innings in this start as he would like, Peterson has 25 strikeouts in his last three starts (15 2/3 innings). As of Thursday, his 29 strikeouts in September would be tied for the fourth most of any pitcher in the National League.

New York would find a way to rally again. Francisco Álvarez had a sacrifice fly in the fourth to drive in McNeil, who tripled to lead off the inning. Two innings later, Mark Vientos continued his hot stretch with a solo home run to left center, his ninth of the year, to tie the game at four.

The home run by Vientos gives him five home runs for the month of September, and three of them have come in the last two games. In addition, he has recorded a hit in six consecutive games.

Jeff Brigham (1-3, 5.26 ERA) would come in after Peterson, but it was Castellanos again who provided the damage as his solo home run in the bottom of the sixth (28th of the year) to put the Phillies in front for good. The right fielder drove in four of Philadelphia’s five runs.

The Mets had their chances to tie it for the third time, but they came up short in the eighth. New York had runners at the corners with one out against Craig Kimbrel. Although the team was 3-for-8 with runners in scoring position, they could not get the big hit as Alvarez fouled out and Baty struck out swinging to end the threat.

One inning later, Brandon Nimmo had a one-out double against Jose Alvarado, but a Ronny Mauricio flyout and a Pete Alonso strikeout ended the game as the Mets had 10 strikeouts as a team on Thursday.

The star of the game for the Mets bullpen was Grant Hartwig. The right-hander retired all seven batters that he faced and had three strikeouts (19 of 28 pitches for strikes). The three strikeouts tie the most he has had in any outing this year.

Player Of The Game

The player of the game goes to McNeil, who went 3-for-4 in the number six spot in the batting order. After he shined in the field on Wednesday, the bat was a major part of his success Thursday. He has had three multi-hit games in the last four days. His double in the second gave him 25 doubles on the year. His .850 OPS in September is the second-highest he has had in any month this year (.859 in April).

On Deck

The Mets will continue their four-game series against the Phillies on Friday night. You can catch the game only on Apple TV+ at 7:05 p.m. ET. Righty Tylor Megill (8-8, 4.94) will take the ball for New York against former Mets right-hander Taijuan Walker (15-5, 4.40) for the Phillies.