Mets beat the Phillies 8-4 for first win of season behind strong pitching by Marcus Stroman

Mets RHP Marcus Stroman (Credits to USA-Today Sports) The New York Mets beat the Philadelphia Phillies 8-4 tonight in Philadelphia for their first win of the season and improved their record to 1-1 on the season. The offense went scoreless for the first three innings until the top of the fourth after 1B Pete Alonso led off the inning with a walk and LF Dom Smith followed with a two-run homer to the opposite field. The bats went quiet for the next two innings, but then in the top of the seventh 3B Luis Guillorme led off with a walk and then two batters later catcher James McCann walked. Pinch-hitter Kevin Pillar also walked to load the bases and then CF Brandon Nimmo drew a walk to bring in a run. SS Francisco Lindor followed with a sacrifice fly and then Pillar and Nimmo executed a perfect double steal which helped Pillar steal home. RF Michael Conforto capped off the inning with a RBI double. In the top of the ninth inning, Nimmo led off with a walk his third of the game and then with two outs, 1B Pete Alonso broke the game open with a two-run homer. RHP Marcus Stroman had a fine outing allowing one run on three hits in six innings. Stroman gave up two walks and had three strikeouts. He had a sharp sinker which helped him keep the ball down. Stroman was able to get 13 out of 18 hits on ground balls. RHP Miguel Castro followed and strated out well with two strikeouts, but then gave up a double to pinch-hitter Adam Haseley and a RBI single to pinch-hitter Rhys Hoskins.. Castro was able to settl down and managed to recover and get RF Bryce Harper to fly out to end the inning. RHP Trevor May came in next and gave up a single and two passed balls, but was able to out of the inning after he struck catcher J.T. Realmuto and 1B Brad Miller. RHP Jeurys Familia came on in the bottom of the ninth inning for his first appearance of the year and gave up two soft hits that went for a single and double and a throwing error by Alonso led to one run. Familia then struck out pinch-hitter Andrew McCutchen and walked Harper and then Realmuto grounded into a fielder's choice which brought home a run, but SS Didi Gregarious grounded out to end the game. Injury News Mets third baseman J.D. Davis led the game after he was hit on the hand by the pitch in the second inning and had to leave the game. Fortunateky, X-rays were negative. The Mets next game is tomorrow afternoon at the Phillies at 4:05 p.m.