Mets walk it off Phillies 6-5 as Citi Field Curse strikes again

Another night in Queens, another gut punch for the Phillies. The Mets, who apparently own a permanent deed to the Phillies’ misery whenever they’re in Citi Field, walked it off 6-5 thanks to Brandon Nimmo’s ninth-inning single.

Pete Alonso turned into Barry Bonds for the evening, ripping four hits, including a two-run double during a five-run fifth inning that flipped the game on its head. The Phillies had actually jumped ahead early behind Bryce Harper’s two-run single and a solid start from Jesús Luzardo, until it all fell apart.

Jesus Luzardo was AMPED last night

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Helsley Meltdown (Again)

Ryan Helsley entered with a two-run lead in the eighth, and it went about as well as every other Helsley appearance lately. Harrison Bader, of all people, crushed a two-run homer to tie it, and Mets fans gave Helsley the soundtrack he’s earned. boos rained down from 40,000 strong at Citi Field and for a moment there was a Fightins blip on the radar.

Bader, who wore a Mets jersey last year, has been an absolute nightmare for them since joining the Phillies. He’s now 9-for-14 against New York this season, but even he couldn’t erase the fact that Philly’s bullpen continues to collapse in the biggest moments.

Harrison Bader CLUTCH UP

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The Final Nail

By the ninth, Jhoan Duran was on the mound and promptly let the Mets load the bases with nobody out. Nimmo stepped up and delivered his fifth career walk-off RBI, because of course he did.

Edwin Díaz shut the door on the Phillies with four strikeouts across 1 2/3 perfect innings, proving again that New York has a closer while Philly’s bullpen situation feels like Russian roulette.

The Citi Field Curse

At this point, Citi Field isn’t just a ballpark, it’s a haunted house for Philadelphia baseball. The Phillies have now lost 23 of their last 29 games in Queens, including last year’s postseason. The Phils have blown leads in 7 of the 9 straight losses in New York. They have been outscored 52 to 23 in those losses.

What’s Next

Taijuan Walker (4-6, 3.44 ERA) takes the ball tomorrow against one of his former squads, while the Mets counter with rookie Nolan McLean (2-0, 1.46 ERA). The Mets are sniffing a sweep, and the Phillies badly need Walker to play stopper before this rivalry turns into full-blown therapy sessions.

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