Mets vs. Phillies Game 22 Recap

LHP Steven Matz (Credits to MetsMerizedOnline.com)

The New York Mets defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 5-1 tonight and improved their record to 12-10 on the season. After having to wait out a 1 hour, 35 min rain delay LHP Steven Matz had a much improved outing after he was unable to get out of the first inning in his last start against the Phillies. Matz started out well with three scoreless innings, bur ran into trouble in the top of the fourth, after he gave up a solo homer to 1B Rhys Hoskins, but was able to limit the damage to one run. He settled down after that with scoreless innings in the top of the fifth and sixth innings and retired the last seven Phillies he faced. Matz was effective due to working both sides of the plate and having sharp command of his fastball.  His final line was one run on three hits with six strikeouts and two walks in six innings. He picked up his second win. RHP Seth Lugo came in next in the top of the seventh and threw a 1-2-3 inning. RHP Jeurys Familia looked better in the top of the eighth than in his previous appearances and had a 1-2-3 inning. RHP Edwin Diaz closed it out in the top of the ninth inning in a non-save situation with two strike-outs and a ground-out.

The offense wasn't able to score in the first two innings, but broke through in the bottom of the third inning after LF Brandon Nimmo walked and 1B Pete Alonso drove him in with an RBI double. Catcher Wilson Ramos later drove in the run in the inning with an RBI single. 2B Jeff McNeil hit a solo homer in the bottom of the fifth inning. In the bottom of the seventh inning, CF Juan Lagares singled to lead off the inning. Later Alonso was hit by a pitch with based loaded to bring home a run. RF Michael Conforto drove in a run a few batter later with a sacrifice fly.

The Mets next game is tomorrow night against the Phillies at 7:10 P.M.