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July 17 (UPI) — Francisco Alvarez clobbered home runs in the third and seventh innings to lead the New York Mets over the Philadelphia Phillies in Philadelphia.
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The veteran catcher hit both long balls off Phillies starter Aaron Nola in the 4-1 triumph Thursday at Citizens Bank Park, the first MLB game after the 2026 All-Star Game was held there Tuesday.
“It was great,” Mets interim manager Andy Green told reporters when asked about Alvarez. “He caught a great game, too. … That’s as much power as you’re ever going to see in the No. 9 [batting order] hole. So, probably means he doesn’t really belong in the No. 9 hole.”
Mets starter Christian Scott allowed just three hits over 5 2/3 scoreless innings to improve to 3-1 this season. Outfielder Juan Soto, who left the game in the eighth inning with calf soreness, reached base four times, with three walks and a single. He is not expected to miss playing time.
Second baseman Brett Baty, who also hit a solo homer, and outfielder A.J. Ewing recorded an RBI apiece. With the win, the Mets snapped a three-game losing streak.
“Aside from the home runs, I think the biggest impact that I was able to be a part of was how well our pitchers threw,” Alvarez said. “We kept the game close and then were able to score runs in key spots, so I thought we played a really good game.”
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Alvarez gave the Mets their initial lead with a 416-foot shot off a 1-2 Nola slider in the top of the third inning.
Baty doubled the advantage with a 378-foot blast off Nola in the seventh. Alvarez followed with a 363-foot shot in the next at-bat.
The Phillies plated their lone run off a 383-foot homer from shortstop Trea Turner in the next inning. Ewing recorded an RBI double in the ninth for the game’s final score.
The Mets (41-57) will take on the Phillies (54-44) in the second game of the series at 4:05 p.m. EDT Saturday in Philadelphia. The finale be Sunday.
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This story was originally published July 17, 2026 at 4:31 AM.