PHILADELPHIA — The New York Mets' pitching struggles continued Sunday night as they fell 6-2 to the Philadelphia Phillies, dropping the three-game series 2-1 at Citizens Bank Park. The defeat highlighted ongoing concerns with the Mets’ starting rotation, which has been a consistent vulnerability throughout the season.

Kyle Schwarber was the standout performer for Philadelphia, launching his fourth home run in as many days during the second inning. With two runners on base and two outs, Schwarber connected on a 92 mph fastball from David Peterson, sending the ball 418 feet into the upper deck of right field. The homer put the Phillies ahead decisively and underscored the difficulties the Mets have faced when falling behind early in games.

The Mets managed to score only twice, including a solo home run by Carson Benge off former Mets pitcher Zack Wheeler in the third inning. However, their offensive efforts were not enough to overcome the deficit, as the Phillies’ pitching and timely hitting prevailed.

New York’s rotation woes remain a pressing issue. The starting pitchers often fall behind in counts and relinquish early leads, placing additional pressure on an already challenged offense. Injuries to key hitters, including Francisco Lindor and Luis Robert Jr., have further limited the Mets’ ability to mount comebacks. The team’s lineup has struggled to produce sustained rallies or impactful home runs, reducing their margin for error.

Peterson, an All-Star last season, has shown noticeable decline since mid-2023, failing to replicate his earlier form. Kodai Senga, scheduled to start Monday’s opener against the Chicago Cubs at Citi Field, has also experienced setbacks, raising questions about his consistency. Nolan McLean, despite being touted as a potential Rookie of the Year candidate, has battled control issues, including a high number of walks and pitches missing the strike zone, which have contributed to costly runs against the Mets. Meanwhile, José Peralta is enduring his worst performance since 2019, continuing a difficult sophomore campaign.

The team's pitching difficulties have drawn scrutiny, especially following the dismissal of former pitching coach Jeremy Hefner after last season. There were indications that challenges within the rotation were emerging during Hefner’s tenure, suggesting the problems are more systemic than isolated to the current roster or coaching.

As the Mets prepare to face the Cubs, addressing their starting rotation’s performance will be critical if they hope to reverse their fortunes and contend in the competitive National League East.