Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
The New York Mets lost Jeff McNeil and Eduardo Escobar early on in their game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citi Field on Friday evening.
Escobar made a couple of defensive plays in the top of the second inning and left the game after having a hard-hit ball hit his hand and mid-section. Luis Guillorme came in to pinch hit for Escobar.
If that wasn’t bad enough, the Mets lost McNeil, who slid into Rhys Hoskins on his groundout in the second inning. McNeil left the game shortly after, which is a blow considering how hot he has been at the plate. Coming into Friday’s game, he had a 13-game hitting streak where he was hitting .407/.421/.704 with seven doubles, three home runs and 10 RBI.
With Guillorme taking over at second base, Mark Canha slid over to third base, which is significant because Canha has played the position a total of five times, with the last appearance dating back to 2016.
Mets manager Buck Showalter told the Apple TV broadcast that Escobar departed the game with a side injury and McNeil cut a finger on his throwing hand. We’ll have more on both injuries as more information becomes available.
