PHILADELPHIA — The Mets were without their starting pitcher after just two innings against the Phillies, spelling disaster for the bullpen to cover the remaining seven frames. Despite David Peterson carrying the load, his strong effort in relief went from a turning point to a spoiled performance.
Taijuan Walker exited his first start of the year after two perfect innings with what the Mets are calling right shoulder irritation. Then Peterson, who entered in the third, ate the middle innings and dominated the Phillies lineup. But it wasn’t enough. For the second-straight day, an ugly eighth inning and a late rally sealed a Mets loss.
Once Trevor May became the second Mets pitcher on Monday night to leave his outing with a physical issue, the bullpen could not stop the bleeding. J.T. Realmuto cranked a two-run home run off left-hander Joely Rodriguez. Then Rhys Hoskins and Didi Gregorius collected back-to-back RBI doubles to complete a five-run rally and hand the Mets a 5-4 loss in the series opener at Citizens Bank Park.
