Field Level Media
Apr 6, 2021
Marcus Stroman pitched six strong innings, Dominic Smith and Pete Alonso each hit a two-run home run and the New York Mets defeated the host Philadelphia Phillies 8-4 on Tuesday.
Brandon Nimmo also walked three times for the Mets.
Stroman induced 13 ground-ball outs and gave up three hits and one run. Stroman (1-0) threw 85 pitches, struck out three and walked two as the Mets won their first game of the season.
Didi Gregorius had two hits, including a home run, and Jean Segura added two hits for the Phillies, who lost for the first time in five games this season. Adam Haseley and Rhys Hoskins also contributed two hits apiece.
The Phillies last opened the season 5-0 in 1915.
Phillies starter Chase Anderson tossed five solid innings and allowed two hits and two runs. Anderson (0-1) struck out three and walked two.
The game remained scoreless through the first three innings as the teams combined for only three hits, two by the Phillies.
The Mets then took a 2-0 lead in the fourth when Smith blasted a two-run home run to left field.
Gregorius lined a solo homer to center with one out in the fourth to slice the deficit in half, 2-1.
The Phillies had a chance to tie the game in the sixth as J.T. Realmuto was at third with outs. Segura hit a soft grounder to shortstop and was thrown out by a step to end the threat.
New York loaded the bases with one out in the seventh with three walks against Vince Velasquez. Nimmo followed with a walk, forcing home Luis Guillorme for a 3-1 advantage. Francisco Lindor added a sacrifice fly against Brandon Kintzler for a 4-1 lead.
The Mets tacked on two more runs, including an RBI double by Michael Conforto for a 6-1 lead.
Hoskins contributed an RBI single in the seventh to close the Phillies within 6-2.
In the eighth, the Phillies had runners at second and third with one out, but Brad Miller and Roman Quinn struck out.
Alonso's two-run homer in the ninth gave the Mets an 8-2 lead.
--Field Level Media