Say hello to the new manager, who might just feel like a familiar face.
On Friday, the Mets appointed a new manager, yet this change did little to ignite their offense, especially as they faced the formidable Zack Wheeler for the majority of the game.
With the new role, Andy Green got a firsthand experience of the challenges Carlos Mendoza faced.
Under Green’s direction, the Mets’ lineup managed a mere five hits during their 2-1 defeat to the Phillies at Citi Field, pushing their losing streak to an unfortunate seven matches.
Earlier that day, Green stepped up as the interim manager following Mendoza’s dismissal.
The Mets (34-48) looked every bit the team that entered the day ranked 29th in MLB with a .673 OPS.
Their misery on this night included getting one-hit over the final five innings.
Zach Thornton, in his second major league start, was sharp over six innings.
The left-hander, thrust into the rotation following David Peterson’s trade to the Cubs and Kodai Senga’s demotion to the bullpen, allowed one earned run on five hits with seven strikeouts and one walk.
Thornton surrendered three straight hits to begin the game, but escaped the first with only one run allowed.
Bryce Harper delivered an RBI single that gave the Phillies a 1-0 lead after Trea Turner’s leadoff double and Kyle Schwarber’s ensuing single.
Thornton rebounded to get three straight outs.
Derek Hill scaled the fence in right-center in the bottom of the inning to rob Juan Soto of a two-run homer.
Carson Benge singled leading off before Hill fully extended over the fence for the larceny.
Jared Young’s RBI single in the fourth tied it 1-1.
Bo Bichette’s leadoff double ignited the rally before Young delivered against Zack Wheeler.
Huascar Brazoban allowed an RBI single to Trea Turner in the seventh that gave the Phillies a 2-1 lead. Hill’s leadoff single and Bryson Stott’s walk gave the Phillies their base runners before Hill’s single.
It was a rare misstep for Brazoban, who hadn’t been scored upon in his previous seven appearances and began the night with a 1.82 ERA.
Wheeler dominated with a second good outing in less than a week against his former team.
The right-hander allowed one earned run on four hits with five strikeouts and one walk over seven innings.
Wheeler, in his return from surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome, has pitched to a 2.03 ERA in 11 starts this season.