The Philadelphia Phillies experienced a setback this week after being swept in a three-game series by the New York Mets at Citi Field. The sweep marked the Phillies’ tenth consecutive loss at the Mets’ home field, including postseason games, and reduced their lead in the National League East from seven games to four.
On Wednesday night, rookie pitcher Nolan McLean held the Phillies to four singles over eight scoreless innings as the Mets won 6-0. Philadelphia’s offense struggled throughout the series, managing only eight runs while conceding 25. Key players such as Kyle Schwarber went hitless, extending his slump to 0-for-20.
“Who likes to lose? No one likes to lose,” said Kyle Schwarber. “But there’s nothing that can really faze us. We’ve been swept before this year. We bounced back. We’ve got to do the same thing. I’m not worried about it.
“… They beat us. Tip the cap. They beat us.”
Manager Rob Thomson also acknowledged the team’s performance: “We know that we need to play better,” he said. “Just got to flush it and move on.”
The Mets consistently put pressure on Phillies pitchers during the series, stringing together rallies against starters Cristopher Sánchez and Taijuan Walker, as well as closer Jhoan Duran. In Wednesday’s game, five consecutive hits in the third inning led to a decisive three-run frame for New York.
“I make that one play, get the ball, it could be a different story,” Walker said of a key bunt single during that rally. “But like I said, it’s just one of those games where it kind of wasn’t going our way.”
Philadelphia was held without an extra-base hit for the first time since June 26 against Houston and failed to capitalize on scoring opportunities late in Wednesday’s game.
Thomson pointed out unfamiliarity with McLean as a factor: “I don’t think it’s pressing as much as it is not seeing [McLean] before,” he said. “There are times I think that guys try to do too much, but I kind of chalk it up to not seeing him.”
Despite disappointment with their recent performance, both players and coaches expressed confidence moving forward.
“It’s one series,” Thomson said. “I know it’s against the Mets. Admittedly so, we need to play better. We will. We got a good club. That’s not gonna change.”
The Phillies now return home for a four-game series against Atlanta at Citizens Bank Park (https://www.mlb.com/phillies/ballpark), looking for improvement despite Atlanta’s recent surge in form.
“We’ve got to be able to turn the page, go out there and play the Braves,” Schwarber said. “… When we show up tomorrow, it’s a new day. We’ve got to be able to walk out of the clubhouse and expect to win the game.”
Taijuan Walker echoed these sentiments: “I don’t think there’s any doubt at all,” he said about team morale going forward.“We know we’re a good team. We’ve proved it all year.”
