The Phillies fell to the Mets 4-3 on June 22, 2025, despite a Kyle Schwarber homer. Pete Alonso's late RBI knots the NL East race in a heartbreaking loss.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was the kind of Sunday showdown that defines a division race, but unfortunately, the Philadelphia Phillies came out on the wrong end. In a tense, back-and-forth battle at Citizens Bank Park, the Phils fell to the rival New York Mets 4-3, creating a tie for the top spot in the NL East. A late-game rally fell just short, leaving the tying run stranded 90 feet away and a sold-out crowd holding its breath.
Trea Turner is batting .298 with 65 stolen bases.
The game lived up to its billing as a classic pitching duel. Jesús Luzardo was solid for the Phillies, battling through 6 innings and keeping the team in it despite allowing three runs. His counterpart, David Peterson, was equally tough. The park erupted in the 5th when Kyle Schwarber launched his 23rd homer of the year, a two-run shot that gave the Phillies a temporary lead. But the Mets clawed back, with Pete Alonso delivering the decisive blow—a go-ahead RBI single in the 7th inning. The Phillies mounted a classic ninth-inning threat, but the rally died with the tying run at third base, a frustrating end to a hard-fought game.
While the result on the field was a disappointment, some of the day's best news came from the training room. Bryce Harper, out since early June with right wrist inflammation, took a significant step forward in his recovery. For the first time since the injury, Harper was able to take dry swings and do some throwing. While the team remains cautious, this is a huge psychological boost. The lineup has missed his presence dearly, and the prospect of getting the two-time MVP back in the fold is the light at the end of the tunnel. A clearer timetable is expected after he tries hitting off a tee later this week.
One loss, even to a rival, doesn't erase a season's worth of work. Despite the defeat and key injuries to Harper and Aaron Nola, the Phillies' offense remains one of the most feared in baseball. The team still ranks 2nd in the majors in team batting average (.257) and 9th in runs scored. Trea Turner continues to be a menace on the basepaths, adding another stolen base to his incredible total of 65, while Kyle Schwarber's power (23 HR, 54 RBI) keeps the engine running. On the mound, Zack Wheeler's 2.61 ERA remains an anchor for the rotation. The pieces are still in place for a deep run.
Losing a series finale to the Mets and falling into a tie for first place is a tough pill to swallow. The margin for error in the NL East is now officially zero. But this team has proven its resilience all year. The focus now shifts to the next series, with the immediate goal of reclaiming sole possession of the division lead. All eyes will be on the field for a bounce-back performance, and on the training room for every update on Bryce Harper's return. The race is on.
