Jesús Luzardo Shines as Phillies Complete Four-Game Sweep of Mets

The Philadelphia Phillies pulled off an incredible comeback win over the New York Mets on Sunday. They capped a four-game sweep that showed off their resilience and a little bit of swagger.

Things looked ugly after the first inning. Starter Jesús Luzardo had one of the most impressive turnarounds you’ll see, shaking off a disastrous start to completely shut down the Mets offense.

Timely hitting from young call-up Otto Kemp and veteran star Bryce Harper made a difference. The Phillies not only avenged a recent sweep in New York, but also took a big step toward clinching the NL East crown.

Luzardo’s Incredible Turnaround on the Mound

The Mets jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Luzardo gave up five hits, and Starling Marte delivered the big blow with a bases-clearing double.

What happened next? It was honestly wild.

From Disaster to Dominance

Luzardo didn’t unravel. He locked in and retired the next 22 batters he faced.

His fastball hit 99 mph multiple times. He showed off flawless command, racking up 10 strikeouts without walking anyone.

Manager Rob Thomson praised his focus and composure. He pointed out how Luzardo just kept thinking about “the next pitch.”

By the time Luzardo exited after eight innings, he’d completely flipped the game’s momentum. It went from a blowout-in-the-making to a clinic in velocity and precision.

Phillies’ Offense Chips Away

While Luzardo mowed down Mets hitters, the Phillies’ bats quietly chipped away at New York’s bullpen. The turning point came in the fourth inning.

Rookie Otto Kemp continued his electric start to his big-league career. He crushed a two-run homer—his second in just three games since his call-up—and cut the Mets’ lead in half.

Kemp’s Impact Since Call-Up

Kemp’s confident approach and power have given the Phillies a midseason boost. Injuries have ravaged their infield depth, so his timing couldn’t be better.

In the fifth, Bryce Harper kept the rally going with an RBI double. The crowd at Citizens Bank Park felt the comeback brewing.

The Go-Ahead Surge

The sixth inning brought more fireworks. Kemp and Harrison Bader sparked another rally with key hits and aggressive baserunning.

The Phillies took the lead for the first time, 5-4. Harper added an insurance run with a sharp single, making it 6-4 heading into the late innings.

Duran Slams the Door

Closer Jhoan Duran didn’t mess around in the ninth. He delivered a highlight-reel finish:

• Struck out Juan Soto swinging
• Blew a fastball past Pete Alonso
• Froze Mark Vientos on a breaking ball to end it

Three hitters, three strikeouts. That’s the kind of outing that sends a message in the final stretch of the regular season.

A Sweep with Playoff Implications

This sweep hit different. The Phillies did it against the same Mets team that embarrassed them two weeks ago in New York.

That turnaround says a lot about Philadelphia’s mental toughness, especially with Trea Turner and Alec Bohm still out injured.

With this win, the Phillies:

• Trimmed their NL East magic number to 5
• Expanded their division lead to 11 games
• Closed within 2 games of the Brewers for the best record in MLB

Looking Ahead

Philadelphia’s got a pretty wild mix of veteran leaders, young talent, and deep pitching. They’re peaking at just the right moment.

If Luzardo can keep his cool after that first inning, the Phillies might finally have an ace who’s ready for October. That’s a big deal.

With a playoff spot basically locked in, the team’s now eyeing home-field advantage. The offense just needs to stay hot as the postseason creeps closer.

For the fans, this one felt like more than a win. It was a statement—loud and clear.

The Phillies aren’t just getting ready for the playoffs. They’re showing everyone they might actually have what it takes to go the distance.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Jesús Luzardo finds his groove after a rough start as Phillies complete a four-game sweep of the Mets