Under hazy conditions, Francisco Alvarez hits 2 HRs in Mets' win - ESPN

PHILADELPHIA — Francisco Alvarez homered twice, Brett Baty also went deep and the New York Mets defeated the Phillies 4-1 on Thursday night in the first major league game following the All-Star break.

The game started at 6:10 p.m. ET instead of 7:10, and the teams played under a hazy sky with diminishing air quality because of smoke that moved into the region from wildfires burning in Canada and Minnesota.

«It's definitely different,» Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper said during the ESPN telecast while wearing a microphone on the field during the top of the second inning. «They don't really move games too much. But not the greatest idea, I guess, to come out here and play in this type of weather, but you know, we're doing it.»

It was the second time wildfire smoke has affected a game in Philadelphia. In June 2023, a game between Detroit and Philadelphia was postponed because of poor air quality related to smoke from Canadian wildfires.

Christian Scott (3-1) pitched 5⅔ shutout innings for the Mets, who launched three solo homers off starter Aaron Nola.

New York slugger Juan Soto was removed in the eighth because of left calf soreness. Soto missed about 2½ weeks in April with a right calf strain.

Alvarez drove a 1-2 slider over the center-field fence in the third. The catcher added his 11th homer of the season in the seventh, when he went back-to-back with Baty.

A.J. Ewing added an insurance run for the Mets with an RBI double in the ninth. Devin Williams got three quick outs for his 100th career save and 14th this season.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.