NEW YORK — Neil Walker delivered the tiebreaking run-scoring single in the sixth inning and added an RBI single during a four-run seventh inning as the defending National League champion New York Mets routed the Philadelphia Phillies 7-2 in their home opener at Citi Field.
The Mets (2-1) improved to 35-20 in home openers, including 5-3 since Citi Field opened in 2009. The Phillies (0-4) have been outscored 26-12 this season.
The Mets, who fell to the Kansas City Royals in five games in the World Series, received their National League champion rings in a private ceremony Thursday. The celebration continued Friday during pregame ceremonies that ended with a trio of former Mets — Edgardo Alfonzo, John Franco and Rusty Staub — raising a flag honoring the franchise’s first pennant since 2000.
New York then went out and won a game that mirrored its pennant-winning campaign, when it scored three runs or fewer in 61 of its first 97 games before leading the league in runs scored from July 25 until the end of the season.
The Mets scored just one run in the first five innings — via a groundout by pitcher Jacob deGrom — against Phillies right-hander Jerad Eickhoff before they scored six runs on seven hits against Eickhoff and a quartet of relievers over the next two frames.
Lucas Duda led off the sixth with a double and scored on a single by Walker, who was acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates in December to replace NLCS Most Valuable Player Daniel Murphy. Michael Conforto followed with an RBI double to chase Eickhoff,
Walker singled home the Mets’ first run in the seventh, when Conforto (two-RBI single) and catcher Travis d’Arnaud (RBI single) followed with run-scoring hits.
DeGrom earned the win for the Mets by allowing one run on five hits and no walks while striking out six. He was lifted after six innings due to right lat tightness.
Odubel Herrera and Cesar Hernandez had RBI singles for the Phillies.
Eickhoff allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits and two walks while striking out three.
NOTES: A moment of silence was held in honor of late Mets senior director of media relations Shannon Forde, who died of breast cancer on March 4. … The Mets opened at home on a Friday for the 10th time in franchise history but only the second time this century. The Phillies were the Mets’ opponent in the home opener for the second straight season and the 10th time overall. Only the Montreal Expos/Washington Nationals (11 times) have played the Mets more in New York’s home opener. … Mets RHP Hansel Robles was eligible to make his season debut after completing a two-game suspension for throwing at Phillies C Cameron Rupp last Sept. 30. … Phillies 3B Maikel Franco, who was hit in the left forearm by a pitch on Thursday, was out of the starting lineup but available as a pinch hitter.