Pitcher Jonah Tong's Inconsistent Performance Hinders Mets in Loss to Phillies

Mets pitcher Jonah Tong faced inconsistency on the mound Sunday, allowing four earned runs on five hits and four walks in 4 2/3 innings, ultimately contributing to the team's 7-2 loss against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citi Field. Tong, 23, surrendered 95 pitches before being removed from the game.

The right-hander's performance follows a recent recall from Triple-A Syracuse, where he had pitched to a 4.60 ERA in three starts. Tong currently holds a 4.21 ERA in six appearances for the Mets this season. This outing contrasted sharply with his previous start against the Orioles, where he pitched six scoreless innings.

In the first inning, Tong walked Kyle Schwarber, who later scored on Luis Arraez's sacrifice fly. Alec Bohm's RBI single extended the Phillies' lead to 2-0, with Bryce Harper also singling in the inning.

Philadelphia further increased their lead in the third inning when Trea Turner hit an RBI double after Schwarber had drawn a leadoff walk. Arraez added another RBI single, bringing the Phillies' total to four runs.

Phillies pitcher Cristopher Sanchez, considered a National League Cy Young candidate, limited the Mets to two earned runs on six hits over 6 1/3 innings, striking out six batters. Bo Bichette hit a solo home run in the sixth inning for the Mets' lone run against Sanchez.

Brett Baty hit a pinch-hit RBI single in the seventh, narrowing the deficit to 4-2. Kodai Senga allowed three runs in the eighth before being pulled after recording just one out.

The Mets concluded their home schedule with a 36-45 record. The team is set to play their final six games of the season on the road against Texas and Washington.