Francisco Alvarez, Brandon Nimmo, and Harrison Bader all hit three-run homers, and Jose Quintana pitched seven scoreless innings, allowing just three hits, as the New York Mets defeated the NL East-leading Philadelphia Phillies 11-3 on Friday night. This win was their 12th in the last 14 games.
Alvarez and Nimmo each hit a three-run homer in a big fifth inning against Aaron Nola (12-8). Alvarez’s homer was his second in three at-bats.
“We’re playing well,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said.
Bader added another three-run homer in the eighth inning off Tyler Gilbert, and Pete Alonso homered in the ninth against Kody Clemens, who had not given up a big league homer before. His father, Roger Clemens, gave up 363 homers in his 24-season career.
New York All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor had an RBI double but left the game in the seventh inning due to lower back soreness. Mendoza said Lindor’s departure was precautionary and that he would have likely stayed in the game if it had been closer.
The Phillies (88-59) lead the NL East by seven games over the Mets (81-66), who are still one game ahead of Atlanta (80-67) for the last NL wild card spot. This game started a stretch of seven games in 10 days between the two teams.
The Mets’ three three-run homers were the first time they had done this since September 25, 2015, when Lucas Duda and Curtis Granderson each hit one.
In the ninth inning, Brandon Marsh hit a three-run homer off Alex Young. The Phillies had won their previous three games and nine of their last 11.
Quintana (9-9) struck out four, walked none, and threw 62 of 94 pitches for strikes.
