The Philadelphia Phillies suffered a devastating 6-2 loss to the New York Mets in Game 1 of the National League Division Series, despite a stellar performance from pitcher Zack Wheeler. Wheeler threw seven innings, struck out nine, and allowed just one hit, but the Mets rallied in the late innings to secure the victory. The Phillies couldn’t recover after a pair of All-Star relievers allowed five runs in the eighth inning.
The Mets utilized a bullpen game, with Kodai Senga making a strong two-inning appearance in his first start since July. Key contributions from Mets relievers David Peterson, Reed Garrett, Phil Maton, and Ryne Stanek held the Phillies to just one run over the final seven innings.
Kodai Senga’s performance showed promise for the Mets’ rotation plans for the rest of the series, while Mets’ pitcher Luis Severino is set to start Game 2 against the Phillies. The Phillies struggled offensively, with Kyle Schwarber’s leadoff homer in the third inning being their only hit until the eighth inning.
The loss highlighted the Phillies’ susceptibility to off-speed pitches and aggressive play, leaving them in a difficult position going into Game 2. Despite their strong regular season performance, the Phillies faced tough offensive challenges against the Mets and will need to make significant adjustments to avoid falling into a deeper hole in the series. Game 2 is scheduled for Sunday at Citizens Bank Park.
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