NEW YORK (AP) — Kyle Schwarber became the first major leaguer to reach 30 homers this season with a two-run shot in the seventh inning that sent the Philadelphia Phillies to a 5-4 win over the New York Mets on Sunday.
The Phillies squandered an early 3-0 lead and fell behind 4-3 before Schwarber hit a 408-foot drive to center field off Kodai Senga (0-7), who was making the first regular-season relief appearance of his big league career.
Schwarber connected in Philadelphia’s 84th game — the fastest anyone has reached 30 homers in franchise history. He has six straight 30-homer seasons, the longest active streak in the majors, and eight overall — most among active players.
Bryce Harper, Alec Bohm and Brandon Marsh had third-inning RBIs for the Phillies.
Kyle Backhus (1-0) got the final two outs in the sixth. Jhoan Duran threw a hitless ninth for his 21st save.
Philadelphia starter Jesús Luzardo allowed one run and struck out six in five innings.
Pinch-hitter A.J. Ewing tied it 3-all with a two-run homer for the Mets in the sixth. Fellow rookie Carson Benge, who had two RBIs, drove in the go-ahead run on a fielder’s choice later in the inning.
New York dropped two of three games in its first series under who took over when
The last-place Mets, who have lost eight of nine, went 2 for 16 with runners in scoring position and stranded 14 overall. They left the bases loaded in the fifth and eighth.
Senga, demoted to the bullpen this week after compiling a 10.08 ERA in seven starts, gave up four hits and struck out four in five innings. Mets opener Cionel Pérez pitched a perfect first in his first big league start after 283 relief appearances.
Philadelphia improved to 18-6 in one-run games, while the Mets fell to 7-15.
Up next
Phillies: RHP Aaron Nola (3-4, 5.58 ERA) pitches Monday against RHP Braxton Ashcraft (7-3, 3.07) and the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Mets: LHP Sean Manaea (1-2, 4.87 ERA) starts Monday against Blue Jays RHP Trey Yesavage (3-3, 3.56) in Toronto.
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