Sep 11, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies Otto Kemp (4) reacts after hitting a two RBI home run against the New York Mets during the fourth inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images Bill Streicher
Otto Kemp and Jesús Luzardo led the Phillies to one of their best wins of the season Thursday, a 6-4 come-from-behind victory that allowed them to complete a four-game sweep of the New York Mets.
The Mets jumped all over Luzardo in the top of the first inning, with Mark Vientos and Brandon Nimmo singling in runs, before the pair both scored on a two-run double by Starling Marte that gave New York a 4-0 lead.
But to his credit, Luzardo locked in, and the Phillies bats backed him up.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, Otto Kemp homered for the second time since being recalled earlier this week, this one a 433-foot shot that also brought home Nick Castellanos:
It’s an Otto Rocket 🚀
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Bryce Harper cut the deficit to a run an inning later, doubling into the right-field corner to score Weston Wilson from first base:
Bryce Harper cuts the deficit to one!
(Via @aokstott)
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In the bottom of the sixth inning, Castellanos legged out a leadoff double, and Kemp again brought him home, this time on a double hit over Jeff McNeil's head in center field:
Otto Kemp ties the game! 🚀
(Via @aokstott)
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Later on in the sixth, Harrison Bader — sporting a guard on his right foot a night after getting hit — gave the Phillies their first lead of the night with an RBI single that plated Kemp:
Harrison Bader gives the Phillies the lead! 📞🤙
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Before the inning was out, Harper added another run when his hard grounder to first base ate up Pete Alonso, allowing Brandon Marsh to cross the plate. (Had third base coach Dusty Wathan not put up the stop sign, Bader probably also could have scored with Alonso on his back.)
Bryce Harper’s grounder eats up Pete Alonso! 🐻❄️
(Via @aokstott)
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Meanwhile, after a dicey first inning Luzardo retired the final 22 batters he faced, ultimately limiting the Mets to five hits and four earned runs over eight innings, while striking out 10. It was a gutsy start, as it looked early on like it would be a short outing for Luzardo.
Jhoan Duran struck out Juan Soto, Alonso and Vientos in order in the ninth inning to close things out.
With the win, the Phillies improve to 87-60, sweeping out the Mets and moving 11 games ahead of them in an NL East race that seems to be fait accompli. The magic number for the Phillies to clinch their second consecutive NL East title is now down to five, giving them an outside shot to do so at home this weekend.
The Phillies will open up a three-game series with the Kansas City Royals Friday, with Walker Buehler set to make his team debut against old friend Michael Lorenzen.
