Philadelphia Phillies reliever Orion Kerkering gave up a two-out, three-run home run to Juan Soto in the sixth inning Friday, the decisive blow in a 6-3 loss to the New York Mets at Citi Field.
Soto drove a hanging sweeper 427 feet to center field to push the Mets’ lead to 6-2. It was his 26th home run of the season.
Kerkering was making his first appearance in six days because of turf toe. He allowed a leadoff infield single and a one-out single before the homer.
He called it a rough couple of months after the game.
“Just a rough couple of months,” Kerkering said. “I think tonight was a lot better executing, besides one pitch to Soto.”
Soto’s homer marked the seventh time in Kerkering’s last eight appearances that he allowed a run. His ERA has climbed from 3.70 to 4.42 over that stretch, and he has walked six and given up two home runs in those outings.
Kerkering said the problems go beyond one pitch or one adjustment.
“Not using pitches in the right situations, walking guys, not attacking hitters,” Kerkering said. “Felt a lot better tonight attacking guys. It’s really a mix of everything.”
The sweeper carried Kerkering to the majors three Septembers ago. He throws it nearly half the time, and he wondered aloud whether hitters are now waiting on it.
“It’s maybe a factor of guys sitting on it more,” Kerkering said. “It’s just been my bread and butter. I think most guys, if they shouldn’t know, they probably already know that’s my pitch now. I’m just trying to figure out how to attack guys a little bit better and go from there.”
The 25-year-old right-hander has a 4.42 ERA in 61 appearances this season.
His timing is a problem for a thin staff. The Phillies are already without ace Jesús Luzardo, and setup man Jonathan Bowlan is dealing with a right groin strain.
Brad Keller has been out since July with a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. Philadelphia signed him to a two-year, $22 million deal last December to set up closer Jhoan Duran.
Friday’s game also showed how the Phillies are patching innings together. Tim Mayza opened, and José Urquidy, claimed off waivers from the Chicago White Sox on Thursday, followed with 4 2/3 scoreless innings.
Interim manager Don Mattingly has eight regular-season games left to settle his bullpen. The NL Wild Card Series begins Sept. 29.
Philadelphia fell to 85-69 with the loss. Should Kerkering’s command keep slipping, the Phillies may have to decide whether a pitcher who was once a late-inning fixture belongs on the postseason roster.
Andrew Painter starts Saturday’s game against the Mets at 4:10 p.m. ET.
