Kyle Schwarber launched his 24th home run into the batter’s eye, Edmundo Sosa broke things wide open with a three-run shot, and the Phillies used a five-run fourth inning to cruise past the Mets, 7-1, on a steamy Sunday night at Citizens Bank Park.
The win gave Philadelphia the series and sole possession of first place in the National League East, improving to 47-31 on the season. The Phillies have now won nine of their last eleven and continue to look every bit the part of a club built for October.
Jesús Luzardo was sharp and efficient, scattering three hits over six and two-thirds scoreless innings with seven strikeouts. His fastball command kept the Mets guessing all night, and his off-speed stuff made sure they stayed uncomfortable in the box.
Through three innings, David Peterson looked like he might be ready to match Luzardo pitch for pitch. He retired nine of the first ten Phillies he faced, the lone exception an infield single from Sosa. But then came the fourth.
It started with Schwarber turning around a 1-2 cutter and launching it straight into center. Then came the avalanche. The Phillies sent ten batters to the plate, racked up five hits, and drew a pair of walks. Nick Castellanos doubled. Otto Kemp slapped an RBI single. Sosa delivered the knockout blow, turning on a hanging slider and parking it in the Phillies’ bullpen in right-center for a three-run homer.
By the time the inning ended, Peterson’s pitch count had ballooned to 72, and his night was over. So, pretty much, was New York’s.
Sosa finished with a single, a double, and the homer, raising his average to .288 in what has quietly become a strong campaign for the utility infielder. Castellanos chipped in with two doubles and an RBI. Kemp reached base twice. It was the kind of up-and-down effort that has come to define this Phillies lineup when it’s clicking.
Francisco Lindor homered late for the Mets, but that was little more than a box-score decoration. New York has now dropped eight of nine and leaves Philadelphia trailing by a full game in the division.
Next up for the Phillies is a three-game set in Houston beginning Tuesday. Ranger Suárez gets the ball, bringing his 2.20 ERA to face Framber Valdez and the Astros.
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