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Phillies Player Facing Backlash From Mets Announcers After Heated Exchange

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New York Mets

Philadelphia Phillies

Sep 8, 2025 9:07 PM EDT

The Philadelphia Phillies (83–60) and New York Mets (76–67) have emerged as one of baseball’s best current rivalries, with both teams exchanging blows in recent years.

With the Mets trailing the Phillies by seven games for the NL East lead, the current series at Citizens Bank Park that began on Monday remains crucial for both teams.

The Phillies are attempting to lock down the second seed in the National League to clinch a first-round bye and avoid the wild card round.

Meanwhile, the Mets are looking to widen the four-game gap between themselves and the Cincinnati Reds for the final NL wild card spot.

Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson (59)

Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson (59) — Source: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Phillies-Mets Rivalry Intensifies on Monday

With pressure mounting and October baseball nearing, tensions flared in the bottom of the fourth inning when Mets starter Nolan McLean struck out Phillies shortstop Edmundo Sosa on a breaking pitch in the dirt.

Catcher Francisco Alvarez retrieved the ball and tagged Sosa, who appeared frustrated by the strikeout and took exception to the tag. Alvarez then attempted to confront Sosa but was held back by umpires as the two exchanged words.

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As the incident unfolded, Mets announcers Gary Cohen and Ron Darling criticized Sosa’s reaction.

Cohen remarked, “A little unhappiness as that last half inning ended. Sosa struck out on a pitch in the dirt so Alvarez had to tag him. He barely tapped him on the arm and then Sosa turns around as though he had been slugged in the jaw.”

“Sosa is just mad because he swung at a bad pitch, don’t take it out on the catcher,” added Darling.

Although Sosa may have overreacted, the pressure is mounting on him to make an impact, especially with All-Star shortstop Trea Turner placed on the injured list earlier Monday due to a right hamstring strain.

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