Philadelphia hosts Mets as Alvarez homers twice in 4-1 victory

By Mason Reed — 17 July 2026 — 3 min read

The New York Mets defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 4-1 in the first major league game after the All-Star break. The game, played under a hazy sky due to smoke from wildfires, saw Francisco Alvarez hit two home runs and Brett Baty add another for the Mets.

The start time for the game was moved up by an hour due to diminishing air quality in the region, a consequence of wildfires in Canada and Minnesota. Despite the unusual conditions, the Mets offense managed to capitalize on opportunities against Phillies starter Aaron Nola.

Mets Offense Powers Through

Francisco Alvarez was a key offensive force for the Mets, driving a 1-2 slider over the center-field fence in the third inning. He then hit his 11th home run of the season in the seventh, immediately followed by a home run from Brett Baty. These back-to-back homers proved pivotal in the Mets’ victory.

The Mets launched three solo homers off Nola, who had been struggling before the All-Star break. Nola’s pre-break record was 3-6 with a 5.75 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP. Despite a better performance through six innings in this game, interim manager Don Mattingly kept him in for the seventh, leading to the consecutive home runs by Baty and Alvarez.

A.J. Ewing further extended the Mets’ lead with an RBI double in the ninth inning. Devin Williams secured his 100th career save and 14th of the season by getting three quick outs, closing out the game for New York.

Francisco Alvarez #4 of the New York Mets reacts after hitting a solo home run in the top of the seventh inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on July 16, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Mets defeated the Phillies 4-1. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) | Getty Images” width=”960″ height=”640″ />

Pitching Performances and Key Moments

Mets pitcher Christian Scott delivered a strong performance, pitching 5 2/3 shutout innings. Scott, now with a 3-1 record, allowed only three hits and struck out seven batters. He nearly conceded a tying home run to Kyle Schwarber, but the ball hit the railing atop the right-field wall and ricocheted back into play for a double.

Scott’s outing was crucial for the Mets, who are looking for a strong second half of the season. He has been more consistent this season, especially on the road where he holds a 2.79 ERA. He had faced the Phillies earlier in the season, going 4.1 innings and allowing three hits and two earned runs.

For the Phillies, Trea Turner hit a home run in the eighth inning off Mets reliever Luke Weaver, marking the first home run by a right-handed hitter off Weaver this season. However, this was the only run the Phillies managed to score.

The game also saw Juan Soto removed in the eighth inning due to left calf soreness. Soto had previously missed about 2 1/2 weeks in April with a right calf strain. His status will be monitored as the team continues its season.

Looking Ahead for Both Teams

The Mets and Phillies are set to resume their series on Saturday after a rare Friday off. The upcoming game will feature LHP Sean Manaea (2-4, 4.56 ERA) starting for New York against LHP Jesús Luzardo (8-4, 3.51) for Philadelphia.

The Mets, currently 17 games under .500, face a challenging path to the postseason, needing a significant turnaround in the remaining games. The Phillies, under interim manager Don Mattingly, have shown improvement after a difficult start to their season, positioning themselves as a contender.

Source: sports.yahoo.com

Mason Reed

Sports reporter covering football, basketball and international competitions.