In what was a thrilling early-season matchup between NL East rivals the New York Mets and the Philadelphia Phillies, the Mets narrowly escaped with a 5-4 victory at Citi Field on Monday night. Despite a valiant ninth-inning rally by the Phillies, the Mets’ pitching and Francisco Lindor’s explosive bat were just enough to secure their fifth consecutive win and improve to an impressive 10-1 at home.
It was an exciting game filled with momentum swings, but the standout performance of the night came from Francisco Lindor, who belted two more home runs, including a leadoff shot for the second consecutive day. This electric offensive output continues to solidify Lindor’s position as one of the premier players in the league, and it was the Mets’ offense that set the tone early in this tight contest.
Lindor’s Historic Night and Power Surge
The New York Mets got things going immediately when Lindor, in his signature style, launched the fifth pitch from Phillies’ starter Aaron Nola (0-5) into the second deck in right field, marking his second straight leadoff home run. The shot, which came in the first inning, gave the Mets a 1-0 lead and set the tone for an evening of offensive fireworks.
Lindor wasn’t done. In the seventh inning, with the Mets holding a 2-0 lead, Lindor sent another bomb over the right-center field wall, a three-run shot that further extended the Mets’ advantage to 5-0. The homer was eerily reminiscent of his pivotal grand slam in last year’s NL Division Series against the Phillies—also hit to nearly the exact same spot at Citi Field. Lindor’s two-homer night was his 20th career multi-homer game as a shortstop, joining elite company with Alex Rodriguez and Ernie Banks as the only players with more multi-homer games at the position.
With five home runs on the season, four of them coming in the last four games, Lindor is undoubtedly in the midst of a hot streak that has seen him elevate his game to MVP-caliber levels.
Tylor Megill Dominates Early, Mets Hold Off Late Rally
On the mound, Tylor Megill (3-2) was the embodiment of dominance. The Mets’ right-hander allowed just one hit and struck out 10 batters—matching a career high—over 5 1/3 scoreless innings. His fastball was sharp, and his off-speed pitches kept the Phillies’ hitters off-balance throughout his outing.
Megill’s performance was critical in staving off any potential for the Phillies to mount an early comeback. The Mets’ pitching staff was able to maintain control through most of the game, but a key moment came in the sixth inning when Reed Garrett came on in relief. With runners at the corners and J.T. Realmuto at the plate, Garrett struck out the star catcher to strand both runners and maintain the Mets’ two-run lead.
However, the Phillies were far from finished.
Phillies’ Ninth-Inning Surge Falls Short
Despite the Mets holding a comfortable lead for most of the game, the Phillies mounted a dramatic comeback in the ninth inning. With Max Kranick on the mound in relief, the Phillies got things started when J.T. Realmuto lined an RBI single, cutting the Mets’ lead to 5-1. Then, with two outs, Bryson Stott launched a three-run homer off Mets closer Edwin Díaz, narrowing the gap to just 5-4.
At that point, it seemed as though the Mets’ grip on the game was slipping, and a dramatic late-game collapse was on the horizon. However, Díaz, who has been a dominant force at the back of the Mets’ bullpen, quickly regained his composure. With the game on the line, he struck out Trea Turner and Bryce Harper to earn his sixth save of the season, securing the victory for the Mets and preserving the win for Megill and the rest of the bullpen.
While the Phillies came close, their late-game surge ultimately fell short, and the Mets were able to hold onto the victory in the first meeting of the season between these two familiar foes.
Nola’s Struggles Continue
For the Phillies, Aaron Nola (0-5) continued his early-season struggles. The veteran right-hander was charged with four runs and seven hits over a season-high 6 1/3 innings. Though he struck out six batters, Nola had difficulty limiting the Mets’ potent offense, especially Lindor, who seemed to have his number throughout the game. Nola’s inability to contain the Mets’ lineup—particularly the damage inflicted by Lindor—was a key factor in the Phillies’ defeat.
Key Stats and Takeaways
- Francisco Lindor’s two-homer performance marked his fifth home run of the season, and with four home runs in his last four games, he continues to be one of the hottest players in the league.
- Tylor Megill was masterful on the mound, allowing just one hit and striking out 10 over 5 1/3 innings, lowering his ERA to 2.63 on the season.
- Despite the late-game rally, the Phillies’ comeback fell short, as Edwin Díaz recorded a four-out save, striking out Turner and Harper to end the game.
Up Next
The Mets will look to extend their winning streak in the second game of the series, with Griffin Canning (2-1, 3.43 ERA) taking the mound for the Mets, while the Phillies will counter with Cristopher Sánchez (2-0, 2.96 ERA) on Tuesday night.
Both teams will be looking to continue their early-season momentum, with the Mets hoping to add to their strong home record and the Phillies aiming to bounce back after a tough loss. With Francisco Lindor in peak form and the Mets’ pitching staff firing on all cylinders, it’s shaping up to be an exciting series between two teams with a lot to prove in the NL East.
