J.T. Realmuto added an RBI double as the Phillies, winners of 10 of their last 13, extended their division lead over the Mets to eight games. The teams conclude their three-game series Sunday before the Phillies return to New York for a four-game set next weekend.
Starling Marte singled, tripled, and drove in three runs for the Mets, while Luisangel Acuña collected two hits in his major league debut. The Mets have now dropped just their third game in the last 15 but remain tied with Atlanta for the final National League Wild Card spot after the Braves routed the Dodgers at home.
Trailing 4-0, Harper jump-started the Phillies with an opposite-field blast off Luis Severino in the fourth. Harper followed that with a two-run homer in the sixth, pulling the Phillies within a run. His 28th homer of the season came on a full-count slider, his first long ball since August 9.
The Phillies took the lead in the seventh as Bryson Stott and Realmuto started the frame with singles, and both advanced on Brandon Marsh’s sacrifice bunt. Danny Young, in his fourth appearance of the year, was lifted after striking out Weston Wilson, but not before slamming his glove in frustration after a pair of runners advanced. Reed Garrett came on in relief and served up a 3-2 cutter that Stevenson laced into right field, scoring Stott and Realmuto to give the Phillies their first lead of the night.
Jeff Hoffman pitched a clean eighth, while Carlos Estévez, who joined Philadelphia at the trade deadline, picked up his 26th save of the year and sixth in eight chances. Orion Kerkering (5-2) earned the win with a scoreless seventh inning, while Taijuan Walker worked three shutout frames in relief of Kolby Allard, the fourth different arm the Phillies have used in their fifth starter spot during the last month.
Allard lasted just three innings, giving up three runs on five hits while striking out three and walking three.
The series finale on Sunday will feature Mets left-hander David Peterson (9-2, 2.98 ERA) facing off against Cristopher Sánchez (10-9, 3.33) for the Phillies.
