Phils split DH: 'Have to get it done' vs. Mets

NEW YORK -- Bryce Harper blew kisses. He hopped out of the dugout and waved the Phillies’ home run hat.

It was the curtain call that no Mets fan wanted.

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Harper felt frisky after he crushed a solo home run to right-center field in a 2-1 victory in eight innings over the Mets in Game 2 of Friday’s seven-inning doubleheader at Citi Field. Harper hoped his blast would carry the Phillies to a split. But after the Phillies blew a 1-0 lead because of a costly error in the seventh inning in Game 1 to lose in eight innings, 2-1, they blew another 1-0 lead because of a costly error in the seventh inning in Game 2.

This time, however, the Phillies came back to win.

Good thing they did, too.

“We've got to get it done,” Harper said. “We knew coming into this series we have to get it done. It’s a lot different going 1-1 today instead of 0-2 going into tomorrow against [Mets ace Jacob] deGrom. He's the best pitcher in all of baseball. We're looking forward to what we can do against him tomorrow. It's going to be tough, of course, but we need to go out there and do our thing.”

Matt Moore, Andrew McCutchen and Harper did their parts early in Game 2. Moore pitched five scoreless innings in his first start since April 17 and his first appearance since May 20 following a stint on the injured list because of a back issue.

He made a strong case to stay in the rotation, although Phillies manager Joe Girardi stopped short of saying the job is his after the game.

“I went to Triple-A, building up as a starter, and as far as I know, that’s the plan,” Moore said.

McCutchen robbed Albert Almora Jr. of a home run with a catch above the left-field wall in the second inning.

“Cutch is a stud out there,” Moore said. “It’s a worst-to-first feeling. It’s pretty crazy because I knew Almora got a lot of that changeup. But, man, what a great play and just a huge turning point for us in the game.”

Harper then crushed an 0-2 fastball at eye level for a home run in the sixth. It was the third-highest pitch Harper hit for a homer in his career. It was 3.81 feet above the ground, according to Statcast.

“I kind of sold out on the heater,” Harper said. “I got to it. Just tried to get the barrel to it as quick as possible and get it to the spot. I was able to do that. Felt good.”

And his banter with the locals?

“I have a lot of fans here in Citi Field,” he said. “Just thought I’d say hi and let them know I'm still here. It's always fun coming in here. We always badger back and forth. We have ever since I was 19. It's just always fun coming here. It's always fun.”

But after Archie Bradley allowed a leadoff single to center in the seventh, Alec Bohm booted a potential double-play ball to put runners on first and second. The lead runner scored to tie the game. The Phillies have saved only 16 games in 34 opportunities (47.1 percent) this season. Last year's historically bad bullpen saved 11 games in 24 opportunities (45.8 percent).

The Phillies scored a run in the eighth and Héctor Neris, who lost his job after a blown save on Wednesday, pitched a scoreless bottom half of the inning to save it. José Alvarado, who blew a save in Game 1 when Rhys Hoskins lost a catchable ball in the sun, will remain the closer.

“We have to get Héctor on track,” Girardi said. “He was great today. He was fantastic. He's still going to pitch meaningful outs.”

The victory in Game 2 salvaged what could have been a great day. Aaron Nola tied Tom Seaver for a Major League record when he struck out 10 consecutive batters in Game 1.

“Of course we're here in Citi Field against the Mets and he ties Seaver,” Harper said. “I mean, in today's game, what an accomplishment. It's very tough.

“He got to six, and I was kind of sitting there and I'm like, 'Did he just punch out six in a row there?' That's really good. And then he got to nine, and I run past the umpire and I'm like, 'You ever seen that before?' He goes, 'No.' I'm like, ‘Wow.’ What an accomplishment. Really, really cool. I'll always remember that one.”