PHILADELPHIA — Luis Severino pitched a dominant performance for the majority of Saturday's game against the Philadelphia Phillies.
The exception was when he hit two home runs against right-hander Bryce Harper.
“I couldn't hit anybody but Harper,” Severino said after the 6-4 loss to Philadelphia at Citizens Bank Park. “Harper was the only guy that had a great approach against me and he had both of his at-bats good.”
After striking out the first inning, Harper hit a home run the other way on a changeup in the fourth to cut the Mets' four-run lead.
Harper kept the Phillies closer after two innings.
Severino retired the first two batters of the inning before walking Trea Turner, bringing Harper to the plate.
With the count at full, Severino messed up on a slider and Harper hit it into the right field stands to bring the Phillies within one run. The Phillies were ahead after one inning.
Manager Carlos Mendoza said Severino might have been better off flicking the slider back and targeting right-handed hitter Nick Castellanos if the left-handed hitter Harper had walked.
Instead, Severino allowed just his third hit of the afternoon.
Harper's home run wasn't a surprise given that he has 28 home runs this season, but the Phillies slugger came into the game in the midst of a 29-game homerless streak, the second-longest of his career.
The two homers he allowed to Harper were the same number Severino had allowed in his previous five games combined.
Severino started well, striking out 13 batters in the first inning. He retired the first eight batters he faced.
The right-hander struck out five and walked just one in six innings and has allowed three or more runs only once in his past six starts.
However, the Mets have lost three of his last four games.
