Frank Franklin II/Associated Press
Looking to sweep the Philadelphia Phillies, the Mets handed the ball to Jason Vargas, their fifth starter and most unreliable hurler, on Wednesday night.
He took the mound with an earned run average of 9.58 and minimal expectations, and he struck out the first batter he faced. But then Phillies catcher J. T. Realmuto and right fielder Bryce Harper hit back-to-back doubles to post Philadelphia’s first run of the night.
It turned out to be the only one they would need as the Mets committed three errors and failed to score in a 6-0 loss at Citi Field.