Phillies’ Bats Struggle in First Game Out of All-Star Break, Lose To Mets 4-1

The city of Philadelphia remained very busy after the Phillies concluded the first half of the 2026 MLB season as the All-Star Game and all its festivities. The festivites were a super exciting way to continue Americans 250th birthday, but like all good things, it came to end. With the break coming to the end the Fightins began the second half of their 2026 campaign Thursday night against the New York Mets.

In a not-so-packed Citizens Bank Park, due to the poor air quality that has consumed the Northeast recently, the Phillies looked to start the second half hot against a New York Mets team that has had constant issues this season, with all signs pointing to them being sellers at the deadline.

Instead, the Mets handled the Phillies on all fields en route to a 4-1 victory. The pitching was out-dueled, Mattingly was out-managed, and the offense could not consistently get going.

The night started with a simple back-and-forth pitchers’ duel. Aaron Nola began what was a very successful night by striking out rookie outfielder A.J. Ewing to start the game before ending the inning by forcing a Bo Bichette double play.

That was matched by Mets’ starter Christian Scott, sending the Phillies down in order in the bottom half of the first.

The second inning was the same, however the Mets struck first in the top half of the third with a Francisco Alvarez solo home run to center.

Nola’s night will go down controversially. Nola as a whole looked very solid. As much as his stats this season might not indicate, Nola has actually been fairly successful recently, especially in the month of July. Against the Royals on July 5, Nola had his longest start of the season at 7 innings. He then was controversially taken out in his July 10 start against the Tigers after only allowing two runs in five innings.

The reason The Tigers game was controversial was because fans felt manager Don Mattingly went to the bullpen far too early, which ended up hurting the Phillies severely as the bullpen imploded. Thursday night, the opposite end of such controversies came to be.

While Nola got through six innings only allowing one run, he wasn’t flawless. He loaded the bases in the fifth inning before recording an out, but he was able to get out of the jam with no runs coming across. In the sixth, outfielder Carson Benge got to second base in the inning, albeit only because of a Trea Turner error.

Mattingly then sent Nola out for the seventh inning, an inning in which Nola allowed back-to-back solo blasts to start the inning before being taken out for Jonathan Bowlan. An unfortunate end to what was a successful outing for Nola, finishing the night with six innings pitched, three runs allowed while striking out six Mets. Five of his six strikeouts came on Nola’s knuckle-curve, which still remains a stellar pitch from the veteran righty.

Another major dud on the night was the fact that the Phillies’ offense was not prepared to come back from the break. Mets’ pitcher Christian Scott kept the offense off the bases throughout the night, and the Mets’ bullpen managed to do the same.

It took a while for the lineup to catch any steam, but an attack finally began to form in the bottom of the sixth. Kyle Schwarber roped a long two-out double that bounced off the top of the right field fence. The play was reviewed and while the small CBP crowd felt Schwarber had blasted a league-leading 33rd homer, the umpires disagreed, and the play was ruled a measly double.

That double ended Christian Scott’s night, and he was replaced by veteran lefty Brooks Raley, a bullpen arm who could be a potential trade option for the Phillies at the deadline. Raley’s appearance began by nearly picking off Kyle Schwarber at second; however, luck went the Phillies’ way and Schwarber was able to advance to third on an error by Francisco Lindor.

That opened the door for Bryce Harper to tie the game up and instead was walked, extending the inning. That brought up to the plate now All-Star outfielder Brandon Marsh with a chance to make an All-Star mark. Unfortunately, Marsh went down swinging on three pitches to end the inning.

Outside of a solo homer by Trea Turner in the eighth, the offense was completely outmatched Thursday night. Five Phillies hitters went hitless on the night. Only Bryce Harper was on base multiple times, collecting a double and a walk.

It was an unfortunate and gloomy start to the second half, but after an off day Friday, the Phillies hope to bounce back Saturday as Jesus Luzardo (LHP, 8-4, 3.51 ERA) faces off against Sean Manea (LHP, 2-4, 4.65 ERA).

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