The Mets' bullpen issues came back to haunt them again, blowing a 5-2 sixth-inning lead to the Phillies in Tuesday night's 7-5 loss. >> Box score
Five things to know from Tuesday's game
1) Tuesday was another example of the Mets' bullpen ineptitude. After Walker Lockett gave the Mets a solid 5.1 innings, leaving the game with a 5-2 lead and two runners on, Wilmer Font had a nightmare of a game. In just a third of an inning, Font allowed three runs on three hits, including a pair of home runs to Maikel Franco and Brad Miller. In the blink of an eye the Mets 5-2 lead became a 7-5 deficit. Font then hit Scott Kingery with a high fastball before being pulled.
2) Lockett had a rough debut for the Mets in Chicago, but his second outing went more smoothly. He did allow a leadoff home run to Kingery, but he settled in nicely. Overall, Lockett went 5.1 innings, allowing just five hits. He left the game with two runners on base in the sixth.
3) The Mets had a good chance to answer back in the eighth. Jeff McNeil came within inches of tying the game on a two-run home run, but the ball hit a fan's glove just below the railing in right field. McNeil was awarded a double, stopping Wilson Ramos at third base. Pete Alonso then fouled out to first base to end the inning.
4) The Mets hitters jumped on Jake Arrieta early on Tuesday, pushing across two runs in the first inning. McNeil and Alonso both singled to set the table, followed by an RBI hit from Robinson Cano and a sac fly from Michael Conforto, putting the Mets up 2-0 early. The Mets held that same lead on Monday, and they once again couldn't make it last on Tuesday.
5) Dominic Smith seems to enjoy hitting in Philadelphia. For the second straight night, Smith went yard, this time taking Arrieta out to left-center field. Smith's sixth home run of the season extended the Mets' lead to 4-1 in the top of the third.
Highlights
Video: Cano, Conforto connect for 2-0 lead in 1st inning
Video: Amed Rosario hits 9th home run this season
Video: Dom Smith goes deep for second straight night
What's next
Jason Vargas (3-3. 3.75 ERA) and the Mets face Nick Pivetta (4-2, 5.54 ERA) and the Phillies in the third game of a four-game series on Wednesday at 7:05 p.m.