Mets clown the Phillies again, 5-1, as Lindor and Torrens keep rolling

The Mets are playing like a team trying to bury the Phillies before summer even starts.

New York took Game 2 of the series Tuesday night at Citi Field, beating the Phillies 5-1 and extending their win streak to six. It’s their second six-game heater already this season, and they’ve now opened up a four-game lead in the NL East.

Francisco Lindor stayed hot, logging three more hits including an RBI single. Luis Torrens iced the game with a two-run knock in the 7th, then spiked his bat like he’d just walked it off in October. That’s where the Mets are right now — playing loose, confident, and a little bit cocky. Can you blame them? They’re 17-7 and 11-1 at home.

The Phillies, meanwhile, are a mess.

Cristopher Sánchez Goes Down

This one started rough and only got worse. Cristopher Sánchez — one of the few bright spots in Philly’s rotation — was pulled after two innings with left forearm soreness. No diagnosis yet, but forearm tightness usually isn’t a good omen. If it’s serious, the Phillies are in trouble.

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Bullpen Gasoline (Again)

The game was still within reach until Orion Kerkering entered and got torched. Again. Luis Torrens took an 0-2 pitch and slapped it into the outfield for a two-run single, putting the Mets up 5-1 and sending Kerkering’s ERA further into orbit.

Kyle Schwarber’s Brain Fart

Let’s talk about the dumbest play of the night: Schwarber drew a leadoff walk in the 8th. The Phillies were down four, trying to mount something — anything — when he got doubled off first base on a lazy fly ball to center. No idea what he was thinking. That’s the kind of stuff you see in March at Clearwater, not a must-win division game in Queens.

Game Notes

• Mets starters haven’t given up a home run in 11 straight games, their longest streak since 2014.
• They haven’t allowed a home run in any of their first 12 home games this year — a franchise record.
• They’ve only given up 5 home runs total from the starting rotation all year. Best in baseball.

Up Next: Sweep Watch

It’s on Zack Wheeler (2-1, 3.73 ERA) to stop the bleeding and save the Phillies from getting broomed out of New York. The Mets hand the ball to lefty David Peterson (1-1, 3.27 ERA) with a chance to finish the sweep and send Philly home sulking.

This was supposed to be the series where the Phillies made a statement.

Instead, they’ve rolled over twice and are one loss away from getting publicly pantsed by a team that already bounced them from the playoffs last year.

Let’s see if there’s any fight left tomorrow — or if we’re witnessing an early season unraveling in real time.

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