The Phillies threw a party in the first inning Tuesday night and everybody at sold-out Citizens Bank Park had a good time.
Except for Steven Matz.
The Phillies scored 10 runs in the first inning en route to a 14-3 win over the New York Mets. Matz, the Mets' starter, faced eight batters and did not get an out before exiting the game.
The Phillies sent 14 men to the plate in their festive first inning. They stroked six extra-base hits, including three-run homers by Scott Kingery and Maikel Franco. J.T. Realmuto had a pair of two-run doubles in the inning. The Mets made three errors in the inning.
The victory improved the Phillies to 10-6. The Mets are 10-7.
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The keys
• The Phillies capitalized on Mets' mistakes right out of the chute. Shortstop Amed Rosario made the first of his two first-inning errors on a ground ball by leadoff man Andrew McCutchen. Jean Segura then doubled and Bryce Harper was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Realmuto followed with a two-run double. Kingery then hit the next pitch for a three-run homer.
• Later in the first inning, the Phils capitalized on more Mets mistakes when Franco followed a walk and an error with his three-run homer. He leads the team with six homers.
• Kingery has made the most of limited playing time. In addition to his three-run homer, he had a single and two-run double while playing third base and shortstop. He was also plunked by a pitch in the eighth inning. Manager Gabe Kapler has talked a lot recently about getting Kingery more playing time. It could come at second, third or even in center field. Kingery is earning the time. Over his last seven games, he is 11 for 17 (.647) with four doubles, a homer and five RBIs.
Pivetta's night
Given how poorly Nick Pivetta had pitched in his first three outings, this was probably a small step in the right direction. He pitched five innings and gave up three runs. However, he needed 100 pitches to complete the five innings and he surrendered two homers. Pivetta did a good job getting a double-play ball to get out of first-inning trouble.
Pivetta still has a ways to go and he needs to deliver because the Phils called up Jerad Eickhoff earlier in the day and he delivered four shutout innings. He gave up three hits, walked none and struck out six. Sure, Eickhoff's performance came in a blowout, but he can put some pressure on people if he continues to get outs.
Health check
Rhys Hoskins rested his swollen left ankle. There's a chance he could play on Wednesday. More on that here.
Segura left the game after the first inning with left hamstring tightness. Kingery, who started at third, moved to short and Franco, who started at first, moved to third. Andrew Knapp took over at first.
Up next
The series concludes Wednesday afternoon with Jake Arrieta getting the start against Zack Wheeler.
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