PHILADELPHIA – Max Scherzer’s unbeaten streak is broken. Still, the Mets relied on solid pitching and polar bear-sized strength to steer clear of Philly with another series win.
In six innings in the Mets’ 3-2 loss to the Phillies in Game 1 of the doubleheader at Citizens Bank Park on Sunday, Scherzer conceded three runs on 10 hits, scoring seven runs. The right-hander took his first loss since May 30, 2021, breaking his streak of 24 consecutive unbeaten starts.
Three-time Cy Young winner and future Hall of Famer, obsessed with winning, saw the Mets lose Sunday on their start-day for the first time since joining their new organization.
“The heck of a run,” Scherzer said of his streak. “Obviously your teammates should be able to do that, but it’s also good to be a part of it. You have to go out there and give your team a chance to win. It’s your job as a starting pitcher. I think so That’s starting here for some time now, I’m doing that.”
The Amazons beat the Phillies 6–1 in Game 2 to split the doubleheader in the series finale in Philly. Pete Alonso’s monster power provided five of those six runs after being home twice in the second leg of the twin bills. He had his 12th career two-homer game after dingers in the first and fifth innings on Sunday, the latter traveling 426 feet to the last row of left-field lower deck seats.
“Come on the Mets, hell yeah,” said Alonso as the club became the first MLB team to have 20 wins this season. “It’s great, but we want to win the division. That’s the end goal. We’ve got off to a great start. … We’ve played such a good team baseball. Everyone has answered the bell.”
The Mets (20-10) are 5-1 in three double headers this season. Chris Bassett, who reduced his ERA to 2.45 on Sunday after holding the Phillies to one run in 5.2 innings, helped the Amazons extend their lead over the rest of the NL East. Bassitt has a 0.52 ERA in three starts on the road this season.
The Phillies (12–16) fell seven games behind the first-place Mets as the team continued to cruise through the first 30 games of the season. The Mets have won eight of their first nine series to start 2022, splitting one.
Regarding the reason behind the Mets’ success so far, Bassit said, “We’ve had five quality starts.” “Whenever you have five quality starters, it is relentless. Every game, we are in it because we have five quality starters.”
Manager Buck Showalter said Shazer is setting the tone for the rest of his Mets teammates and coaches when he refuses to make excuses regardless of tough conditions.
Shazer’s uniform went up in the wind on a particularly cold day in Philly. The wind was blowing from right field as the Mets position players zig-zagged through the dirt and grass to catch the pop-fly, trying ostensibly. Despite the fast conditions, Scherzer rolled up his sleeves after the fourth inning, though he said it had nothing to do with trying to make better luck in the 101-pitch outing.
“It wasn’t as windy and I felt like I could take off the sleeves and go back to the short sleeves,” Scherzer said. “I was at least warm enough to do it.”
Sunday was only the third time in the past five seasons that Scherzer had allowed a double-digit hit. He dropped nine or more hits just once last year, debuting as a Dodger on September 29 against the Padres. With the exception of Bryce Harper’s home run in the first inning, Scherzer’s remaining hits against the Phillies on Sunday were all singles. Of his 10 hits allowed, five of them were hits with an exhaust velocity of 77 mph or less.
Due to incessant rain on Friday and Saturday, the Mets ace was pitching seven days after his most recent start – also against the Phillies at Citi Field last Sunday. Given all those elements, Showalter was impressed that Scherzer still managed to record a quality debut for the Mets. It was unfortunate, the captain said, that the offense did not exceed two runs. What was striking about Shazer was that he avoided a big innings after the Phillies had sprinted hits around the field against him.
“You’ll be able to adapt to anything,” Scherzer said. “It’s baseball. Here we go, boom. Two rainouts and you’ll be able to adapt to it and go out there and win. … I’m not going to make excuses. My job is to go out there and compete and under any circumstances.” To win in any circumstance.”
Starling Marte, holding a pink bat in honor of Mother’s Day that will be auctioned to benefit several organizations geared toward the fight against breast cancer, helped keep the Mets on board in the sixth inning of Game 1. He had a double to left field in it. The frame was his fifth consecutive hit, which returned on Thursday. Marte has certainly been a productive base runner for the Mets, but he’s still itching to warm to the plate. The outfielder entered the day batting .262 with .692 OPS.
Scherzer and Bassitt both pitched in the sixth inning in Games 1 and 2, respectively, allowing Showalter to deploy his relief arms for work after a few postponed games, without taxing the bullpen.
“Our men have stayed in the moment,” Showalter said. “Either you can join Falling in the Sky, or that you are better than a certain sport that says you are. So you have to be right there in the middle. There are a lot of challenges, but the way our people do it.” approach, have become very mature about him.”
Drew Smith impressed again, extending his scoreless streak to 12.1 innings in 11 relief appearances. Smith is one of five pitchers to throw at least 11 innings this season and not surrender an earned run. For comparison, Aaron Loop – last year’s Mets best reliever who joined the Angels in the off-season – has 12.2 ERAs in 12.2 innings and relief performances.
The Mets will enjoy an off-day on Monday, followed by a three-match series against the Nationals (10-20) at the National Park starting Tuesday.
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