Mets' Christian Scott Returning From IL To Start Against Phillies During Skid

The New York Mets have lost seven straight games following its series-opening 2-1 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday.

Before the game, the Mets fired manager Carlos Mendoza, who lasted a lot longer in that role than many thought he should have. Not many managers make it through 12-game losing streaks with a team that had deep playoff aspirations, but the recent skid was the final straw for New York.

Bench coach Andy Green will serve as the interim manager for the remainder of the season, and he began his stint 0-1 despite a strong pitching performance from 24-year-old Zach Thornton.

Thornton went six innings and allowed one run on five hits and one walk while fanning seven, holding his own against Phillies ace right-hander Zack Wheeler. He settled in after allowing a first inning run in the form of a Bryce Harper RBI single.

Wheeler earned his eighth win of the season after tossing seven innings of one-run ball on four hits and one walk while punching out five. The lone run he allowed came from a single off the bat of first baseman Jared Young, who has been swinging a hot bat for the Mets recently.

Wheeler nearly allowed a two-run homer to Juan Soto in the first inning, but center fielder Derek Hill robbed the star left fielder, proving to be the difference in the game.

Green will look to pick up his first win in the middle game when right-hander Christian Scott returns from the injured list to take on right-hander Alan Rangel, who is making his first official start.

Scott is 2-0 with a 3.10 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 47 strikeouts to 19 walks through nine starts (40.2 innings). The 27-year-old had been dealing with a right hip impingement and last worked against the St. Louis Cardinals, completing 4.2 innings and allowing four runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out six.

Rangel, 28, has pitched in two games this season and seven total in his short career but has pitched well for Philadelphia. He carries a 2.25 ERA and 1.00 WHIP through eight innings of work and last pitched bulk innings against the Washington Nationals.

He allowed one run on five hits with four strikeouts in a strong showing, earning himself his first official big-league start against a team that is struggling mightily.

First pitch is at 4:10 p.m. EDT on MLB.TV and regional sports networks.