Alvarez powers Mets through Philadelphia haze in 4-1 win
Francisco Alvarez hit two solo homers as New York beat Philadelphia in the first MLB game after the All-Star break, played under smoky skies.
By Deshawn Carter · Sports Writer
2 min read
Francisco Alvarez came out of the All-Star break swinging, launching two home runs as the New York Mets beat the Philadelphia Phillies 4-1 on Thursday night, according to ESPN News Services.
The game in Philadelphia was the first Major League Baseball matchup after the break, and it came with an unusual backdrop: a hazy sky and worsening air quality as smoke from wildfires in Canada and Minnesota drifted into the region, ESPN reported.
First pitch was moved up to 6:10 p.m. ET from the originally scheduled 7:10 p.m. ET start. The teams played through the conditions at Citizens Bank Park.
Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper addressed the air during ESPN’s telecast while wearing a microphone on the field in the top of the second inning.
“It's definitely different,” Harper said on the broadcast. “They don't really move games too much. But not the greatest idea, I guess, to come out here and play in this type of weather, but you know, we're doing it.”
ESPN noted it was the second time wildfire smoke has affected a game in Philadelphia. In June 2023, a Tigers-Phillies game was postponed because of poor air quality tied to smoke from Canadian wildfires.
Alvarez brings the pop
Alvarez opened the scoring damage in the third inning, sending a 1-2 slider over the wall in center field. He struck again in the seventh for his 11th homer of the season, going back-to-back with Brett Baty as the Mets built their lead.
Baty also homered off Phillies starter Aaron Nola, who gave up three solo shots to New York, according to ESPN News Services.
On the mound, Christian Scott kept Philadelphia quiet. Scott, now 3-1, worked 5⅔ scoreless innings for the Mets.
The Mets added one more run in the ninth when A.J. Ewing hit an RBI double, giving New York extra breathing room before the final outs.
Soto exits late
New York also had an injury concern in the eighth inning. Juan Soto was removed from the game because of left calf soreness, ESPN reported.
Soto had previously missed about 2½ weeks in April with a right calf strain, according to the report.
Devin Williams closed it out for the Mets with three quick outs. The save was the 100th of his career and his 14th this season.
The Associated Press contributed to ESPN’s report.
This story draws on original reporting from ESPN.com.