Mets' bats cool down after hot start, bullpen blows lead in 6-4 loss to Phillies

The Mets got off to a roaring start, but the bats fell asleep and the bullpen gave up the lead in New York's 6-4 loss to the Phillies in Philadelphia on Thursday night.

Philadelphia completed the four-game sweep and the Mets have now lost six games in a row. With the loss and the Giants and Reds idle, the Mets' lead for the final wild card spot is now at 1.5 games.

Here are the takeaways…

-The Mets' offense has struggled mightily during this losing streak, but broke out early in this one. Back-to-back singles from Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto, to go along with a double steal, gave the team an early scoring chance. Pete Alonso struck out looking before Mark Vientos stung an RBI single to right field. Brandon Nimmo followed with a single to drive in the game's second run. Starling Marte then crushed a double off the top of the left field wall to give the Mets a 4-0 lead.

But that's all the offense would get on Jesus Luzardo, who retired 22 straight batters, not allowing a baserunner since that four-inning first. It's the first time a Phillies pitcher has allowed four runs in the first inning and gone eight innings since Steve Carlton in 1977. 

Luzardo allowed four runs across eight innings (97 pitches/68 strikes), on five hits, no walks and 10 strikeouts.

-Down just two runs in the ninth against closer Jhoan Duran, Soto (strikeout), Alonso (strikeout), and Vientos (strikeout) were retired in order to end the game with 25 straight Mets batters retired.

–David Peterson worked in and out of trouble early on, allowing the leadoff hitter in the first two innings to reach, including two who reached scoring position, but the young lefty pitched out of it. In the fourth, Otto Kemp jumped all over a first-pitch hanging slider for a two-run shot to get the Phillies back in the game. It's the second homer Kemp has hit in this series. An RBI double from Bryce Harper in the fifth cut the Mets' lead to 4-3, but Peterson would get through five innings.

Peterson's final line: five innings pitched (86 pitches/61 strikes), three earned runs on seven hits, one walk, while striking out eight batters.

–Reed Garrett was the first arm out of the 'pen, and allowed back-to-back doubles to lead off the sixth and tie the game at 4-4. Jeff McNeil, starting at center, misjudged the Kemp liner that allowed Nick Castellanos to score. After getting two batters out, with a walk sandwiched in between, Harrison Bader singled to give the Phillies the lead.

Brooks Raley came in to try and get the final out of the sixth, but a walk to Kyle Schwarber and a Harper single put a cap on the three-run inning before J.T. Realmuto flew out to put an end to the frame.

Tyler Rogers and Edwin Diaz pitched a perfect inning each. 

-Bader went 2-for-5 with an RBI and is now 19-for-36 in nine games against his former team.

Game MVP: Jesus Luzardo

Although he struggled early, the southpaw shut down the Mets' offense and allowed the Phillies to come back.

Highlights

Mark Vientos gets the Mets on the board first!
(via @Mets) pic.twitter.com/35XStN79rc

— SNY (@SNYtv) September 11, 2025

Brandon Nimmo drives in Juan Soto to make it 2-0!
(via @Mets) pic.twitter.com/Lst5NcExUJ

— SNY (@SNYtv) September 11, 2025

A 2-run double for Starling Marte makes it 4-0 in the first!
(via @Mets) pic.twitter.com/U0VZnuMYn7

— SNY (@SNYtv) September 11, 2025

What's next

The Mets return home for a three-game set with the Rangers starting Friday. First pitch is set for 7:10 p.m.

Jonah Tong (1-1, 4.09 ERA) will make his third MLB start and will be going up against former Mets great Jacob deGrom (11-7, 2.78 ERA).