The Philadelphia Phillies dropped a division game to the New York Mets on Friday, September 18, falling 6-3 at Citi Field. Juan Soto was the story, going 3-for-5 with a home run and three RBI to power New York's offense. Zac Thornton held the Phillies to two earned runs over six innings to earn the win, while Tim Mayza took the loss after surrendering three runs in just one-third of an inning. Edmundo Sosa and Derek Hill provided Philadelphia's only power, but it was not enough to overcome a Mets lineup that punished the bullpen late.

Mayza's Early Exit Sets the Tone

The Phillies' night unraveled quickly. Tim Mayza faced the Mets in just one-third of an inning, allowing three hits and a walk while giving up three earned runs. That opening-inning damage put Philadelphia in a hole it never fully climbed out of, and Mayza was tagged with the loss.

José Urquidy followed in relief and was the steadying force for the Phillies' pitching staff — or rather, he wasn't: Urquidy pitched 4.2 innings, struck out six, and allowed no earned runs on five hits with no walks. That stretch kept Philadelphia in the game statistically, but the three-run deficit from Mayza's outing loomed over every inning.

Orion Kerkering was the other hard-luck arm for Philadelphia. The right-hander entered and allowed three hits and three earned runs in one inning of work, and that's when the game got away for good. Tanner Banks finished the final two innings, allowing two hits and one walk while keeping New York off the board, but the outcome was already decided.

Soto and the Mets Offense Do the Damage

Juan Soto was relentless. He went 3-for-5 with a solo home run and three RBI, providing New York's margin of victory almost single-handedly. Francisco Lindor added two hits in five at-bats, and Carson Benge chipped in two hits and an RBI in three at-bats, extending the Mets' lead at key moments.

Zac Thornton was efficient for New York, going six full innings and allowing two earned runs on five hits with one walk and four strikeouts. He stranded the Phillies' threats and gave the Mets' bullpen a clean runway to close it out. Nate Lavender allowed one earned run in 1.2 innings, and Dedniel Núñez, who earned the save, locked it down with 1.1 scoreless innings.

Philadelphia's Offense: Flashes Without Follow-Through

The Phillies did show fight. Edmundo Sosa was outstanding, going 3-for-3 with a home run and an RBI — a perfect night at the plate. Derek Hill also homered in three at-bats, accounting for another run. Those two accounted for all three of Philadelphia's runs, but beyond that pair, the offense could not generate consistent pressure against Thornton.

The Phillies put five hits on Thornton over six innings but couldn't break through for more than two runs against him. Once the Mets' bullpen took over, the damage was already done.

Key Performances

  • Juan Soto (NYM): 3-for-5, 1 HR, 3 RBI
  • Edmundo Sosa (PHI): 3-for-3, 1 HR, 1 RBI
  • Derek Hill (PHI): 1-for-3, 1 HR, 1 RBI
  • Zac Thornton (NYM): 6.0 IP, 4 K, 2 ER, 5 H, 1 BB (W)
  • José Urquidy (PHI): 4.2 IP, 6 K, 0 ER, 5 H, 0 BB
  • Tim Mayza (PHI): 0.1 IP, 3 ER, 3 H, 1 BB (L)
  • Dedniel Núñez (NYM): 1.1 IP, 0 ER, 0 H (SV)

What's Next for Philadelphia

The Phillies will look to respond in the next game of this series against New York. In a division matchup this late in the 2026 regular season, there is no room to absorb losses passively. Philadelphia's bullpen management will be the story to watch — Kerkering and Mayza combined for six earned runs on Friday, a number that cannot be repeated if the Phillies want to take this series.