Mets Trying To Clinch New Manager's First Series Win Over Rival Phillies

Interim manager Andy Green earned his first win with the New York Mets as stars Juan Soto and Francisco Lindor contributed run-scoring triples en route to a much-needed 6-2 victory.

The Mets evened the series with the Phillies and showed resilience after being down 2-0 from a Bryce Harper two-run home run in the third inning. Lindor tied it in the sixth with his triple to right field before A.J. Ewing drove in two with a single to give New York a 4-2 lead.

Soto’s RBI triple came in the seventh and he scored on a Bo Bichette sacrifice fly for the finishing touches on a nice win. Pitching held up despite right-hander Christian Scott not getting out of the fifth inning and the defense didn’t commit any errors.

Scott pitched 4.1 innings and allowed the two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out six in his return to the starting rotation following a brief stint on the injured list. Lefty reliever A.J. Minter tossed 1.2 scoreless innings and hasn’t allowed an earned run in 13 appearances (12.2 innings).

Phillies righty Alan Rangel, who was expected to get his first start, was the bulk reliever yet again and surrendered four runs on four hits and two walks while fanning four.

The rubber match of the series will feature a pitching matchup between a couple of left-handers – Philadelphia’s Jesus Luzardo and New York’s Cionel Perez, who will likely be relieved by righty Kodai Senga after being moved to the bullpen.

Luzardo has had an interesting season thus far, posting a 6-4 record with a 4.00 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 110 strikeouts (ninth) to 30 walks through 16 starts (92.1 innings). The 28-year-old has been hit pretty hard this year but is racking up the punchouts, as he is on pace to strike out 215 batters.

He last worked against the Washington Nationals and allowed five runs (one earned) on five hits and three walks while fanning 13, a new career-high, over 6.2 innings of work. He will battle the following Mets lineup:

1. Carson Benge (RF)

2. Juan Soto (LF)

3. Bo Bichette (SS)

4. Eric Wagaman (1B)

5. Francisco Alvarez (DH)

6. Mark Vientos (3B)

7. Tyrone Taylor (CF)

8. Brett Baty (2B)

9. Luis Torrens (C)

Perez is 3-3 with a 4.99 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 23 strikeouts to 12 walks through 26 appearances (30.2 innings). He has pitched two or more innings in his last three outings, two of which were scoreless. The 30-year-old will face the following Phillies lineup:

1. Trea Turner (SS)

2. Kyle Schwarber (DH)

3. Harper (1B)

4. Alec Bohm (3B)

5. Brandon Marsh (LF)

6. J.T. Realmuto (C)

7. Bryson Stott (2B)

8. Derek Hill (RF)

9. Justin Crawford (CF)

First pitch is at 1:40 p.m. EDT on ESPN Unlimited, MLB.TV and regional sports networks.