Takeaways after Phillies-Mets gets dicey in Phillies win

On a night when they were severely shorthanded and didn’t do much of anything offensively, the Phillies managed to pull out a 2-1 win over the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park on Friday.

Here’s three takeaways from the win:

Benches clear

In the top of the eighth inning, the benches cleared when Phillies reliever Jose Alvarado struck out Dominic Smith with two men on base.

Alvarado climbed back from a 3-0 count to strike out Smith. As he walked off the field, Alvarado shouted at Smith. The pitcher then tossed aside his glove and challenged Smith.

The benches emptied and peace was restored, but things got hot again when Rhys Hoskins and Mets reliever Miguel Castro exchanged words after a couple of inside pitches and a walk in the bottom of the inning.

Alvarado and Smith had previously had words at Citi Field earlier in the month after Alvarado hit Michael Conforto with a pitch.

Quiet offense

The Phillies won the game despite getting just three hits. They were all singles and one of them was a bunt hit by Odubel Herrera in the fifth, his first hit in the majors since 2019. The Phils’ other two hits were singles in the second inning by Brad Miller and Andrew Knapp against Mets starter Marcus Stroman.

Both Miller and Knapp scored on an unusual play in the second inning. On that play, Phillies starting pitcher Chase Anderson swung at a third strike with the bases loaded and two outs. The out, however, was not recorded because Mets catcher James McCann was crossed up and completely missed the pitch from Stroman. The ball hit off home plate umpire Jeremie Rehak’s shin guard and rolled toward the Phillies’ on-deck circle.

Miller scored from third on the play and Knapp came around and scored from second on an alert base-running play.

In addition to being held to just three hits, Phillies hitters struck out 12 times.

Bullpen picks up after a good Anderson start

Anderson pitched into the sixth inning and allowed just one run in earning his first win as a Phillie.

The bullpen, which allowed just one earned run in 11 innings the previous four games in St. Louis, delivered four scoreless innings. Sam Coonrod got the final three outs for his first save. He received nice defensive plays from Alec Bohm at third and Hoskins at first in the inning.

Up next

The Phillies will go for the series win Saturday night. Zack Wheeler starts for the Phils, Taijuan Walker will pitch for the Mets.