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Brandon Nimmo hit the tie-breaking homer in the third inning and finished with three RBIs Thursday night for the red-hot New York Mets, who beat the visiting Philadelphia Phillies 10-6 in the opener of a four-game series between the National League East rivals.

Mark Vientos and Pete Alonso hit back-to-back homers in the first inning and Francisco Alvarez hit a three-run shot in the fourth for the Mets (85-68), who scored at least 10 runs for a third straight game for the first time in franchise history. New York routed the Washington Nationals 10-1 on Tuesday night before earning a 10-0 win Wednesday night.

Vientos had two RBIs while Luisangel Acuna laced a run-scoring triple in the seventh as the Mets remained tied with the Arizona Diamondbacks for the last two NL wild-card spots. The two teams are two games ahead of the Atlanta Braves.

Jose Iglesias and Harrison Bader had two hits apiece.

Trea Turner briefly tied the game by hitting a two-run homer in the top of the third while Bryce Harper had a two-run double for the NL East-leading Phillies (91-62), who missed a chance to clinch a playoff berth. Brandon Marsh and Kyle Schwarber had an RBI apiece.

Luis Severino (11-6) earned the win for the Mets after allowing three runs on five hits and two walks while striking out seven over six innings. The Phillies scored three times in the seventh against Danny Young before Reed Garrett, Ryne Stanek and Edwin Diaz limited Philadelphia to one hit over the final 2 2/3 frames.

Taijuan Walker (3-7) took the loss after giving up eight runs on six hits and three walks over 3 1/3 innings. The former Mets hurler, who made his first start since Aug. 28, gave up all four New York homers, including Nimmo’s blast just six pitches into the third inning.

–Field Level Media