The New York Mets squandered numerous scoring chances in a 5-4 defeat to the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday at Citi Field, continuing a string of losses and series defeats. The team's inability to capitalize on opportunities against Phillies pitching became a central theme in the game, which saw interim manager Andy Green take the helm.

The Mets, now 35-49 on the season, have lost eight of their last nine games and four consecutive series. Their offensive struggles were particularly evident as they went 2-for-16 with runners in scoring position.

Compounding the offensive issues, the Mets played without shortstop Francisco Lindor, who is being managed back into everyday play after a two-month absence due to a calf strain. The lineup's lower-order hitters, including Eric Wagaman, Mark Vientos, Tyrone Taylor, Brett Baty, and Luis Torrens, entered the game with low OPS marks.

In a cobbled-together bullpen game due to depleted starting pitching, Kodai Senga pitched four innings and allowed two runs. He was ultimately responsible for giving up a go-ahead two-run home run to Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber in the seventh inning.

Despite trailing, the Mets had late-game opportunities. In the eighth inning, they loaded the bases with one out against Orion Kerkering. However, Ronny Mauricio popped out, and Francisco Alvarez struck out, drawing boos from the home crowd. Earlier in the seventh, the team left runners on second and third with two outs, ending the threat with a groundout.

The Mets initially struggled to score against Phillies starter Jesús Luzardo, leaving runners on base in the early innings. They put runners on the corners with no outs in the fourth but struck out three consecutive batters. In the fifth, Carson Benge hit an RBI single, but the team subsequently loaded the bases only to end the inning with strikeouts and a flyout.

The Mets briefly took a 4-3 lead in the sixth inning. After an Alvarez double, A.J. Ewing hit a two-run home run. The team then added another run when Benge hit a fielder's choice that drove in a run after a walk and a single.

However, Schwarber's seventh-inning home run ultimately sealed the Mets' fate, as their offense could not generate further runs.