The Mets set a franchise record for runs and hits as they pummeled the Phillies, 24-4, in the first game of Thursday's doubleheader at Citizens Bank Park.
For a full box score of the game, click here.
Things you should know about today's game...
1) After capping a nine-run sixth inning with a grand slam in Baltimore Wednesday night, Jose Bautista did the same during a 10-run fifth in Thursday's doubleheader opener. Bautista, who didn't start the game, finished with three hits and seven RBIs. Amed Rosario hit the first pitch of the afternoon for a home run -- his second leadoff blast in three games -- and finished with a career-high four hits along with three RBIs, three runs and a stolen base. Kevin Plawecki reached safely in all six plate appearances, going 4-for-4 with a triple, a double, two RBIs and two walks.
2) New York sent 15 men to the plate in the fifth and enjoyed their highest-scoring inning since tallying 12 runs against the Giants on April 29, 2016. Michael Conforto homered and joined Austin Jackson, Wilmer Flores and Bautista with three hits. Jose Reyes had two and Jerry Blevins drove in a run with the first hit of his Major League career in the eighth off Phillies shortstop Scott Kingery, who was the second Philadelphia position player to pitch in the game.
3) Brandon Nimmo singled in his first at-bat to reach safely for the 10th consecutive plate appearance. That streak ended in the third when he swung at a pitch that hit his left pinky which resulted in a groundout. He was replaced by Bautista and underwent X-rays which were negative.
4) Despite allowing four solo homers in six innings, Corey Oswalt picked up his second career victory. The right-hander surrendered four runs on nine hits and a walk with two strikeouts. Oswalt (2-2) completed six frames for the third consecutive start and for the fourth time in his last six.
News and notes...
The Mets' 24 runs and 25 hits set a franchise record, as did their total of 40 runs scored in consecutive games. Their 20-run margin of victory was also the largest in club history. The previous club record for most runs scored in one game was 23 against the Cubs on Aug. 16, 1987.
New York has outhomered Philadelphia, 112-56, since the start of 2015, including 66-32 at Citizens Bank Park. They are 44-22 (.667) against the Phillies since the beginning of 2015, including 42-18 (.700) in Philadelphia.
Todd Frazier had an RBI single to extend his hitting streak to nine games. He went 1-for-4 with three runs scored and two walks and is batting .368 (14-for-38) during his streak.
Plawecki and Rosario both established career highs with four hits. Rosario has reached safely in seven consecutive games and is hitting .375 (12-for-32) with eight RBIs in that span. His eight stolen bases since the All-Star break are the second highest total in the league.
Conforto has gone deep three times in his last five games and is hitting .305 (29-for-95) with six doubles, six homers, 13 RBIs and 22 runs since the All-Star break.
Jacob Rhame was added to the roster as the 26th man for the doubleheader.
What's next...
The Mets (52-67) go for a doubleheader sweep of the Phillies (66-54) in the nightcap on SNY 30 minutes after the conclusion of the opener.
Steven Matz (5-9, 4.35 ERA/4.74 FIP, 99 K, 1.337 WHIP) returns from a 17-day stint on the disabled list due to a strain in his left elbow. He last started on July 31 in Washington and allowed seven runs and eight hits while retiring two batters in the shortest outing of his career. It marked the third consecutive start Matz had surrendered four or more runs. The left-hander tossed five scoreless innings against the Phillies on May 11 and took a no-decision. He is 0-1 with a 2.53 ERA in two career meetings with Philadelphia.
Zach Eflin (8-4, 3.57 ERA/3.82 FIP, 86 K, 1.103 WHIP) gets the call in the second game after allowing two runs over six innings in a loss to the Padres last Friday. The 24-year-old has one win and a 5.00 ERA in his last five starts after winning six consecutive starts. The Mets reached Eflin for three runs in five innings in the opener of a doubleheader at Citi Field on July 9. He is 0-2 with a 4.64 ERA in four career starts against New York.