Shelled

Steven Matz came into Tuesday night's Mets/Phillies game with some respectable 2019 numbers. Over his first three starts, his ERA was 1.50. And while he averaged a far-from-efficient 20 pitches an inning his last two starts -- including April 6th against the Nats in the image above -- he was doing fine for a number-three starter.

But the wheels came off at Citizens Bank Park -- in epic fashion. According to ESPN Stats and Info, Matz became just the sixth starting pitcher since 1893 to give up at least eight runs while failing to record an out in the first inning.

Ironically, the last pitcher with such ugliness was a former Met: Paul Wilson put up similar lines with the Reds TWICE, in 2003 and 2005.

Even after Matz was pulled -- after being tagged by Mikael Franco for the Phils second three-run homer of the evening -- the hits kept on coming in the city that produced Chubby Checker, Bobby Rydell and Teddy Pendergrass. JT Realmuto doubled in Bryce Harper and Andrew McCutchen and the Phils had a 10-run inning. And keep in mind, guys in red and white played without one of their big bats, Rhys Hoskins, sidelined with a sprained ankle.

All told, the bottom of the 1st took 29 minutes to play. By the time the night was over, the Phils had posted a football score, winning 14-3 and leaping over the Mets into 1st place.

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