New York Mets left fielder Dominic Smith yells from the dugout. Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

Mets' Dominic Smith tells Phillies' Jose Alvarado to meet him in tunnel after on-field scuffle

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 5/1/21

The New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies got into a benches-clearing brawl during the eighth inning of Friday night's game at Citizens Bank Park.

It started when Phillies reliever Jose Alvarado punched his glove and gestured to Mets outfielder Dominic Smith after he struck him out with the tying run on third base.

Benches have cleared in Philadelphia after Jose Alvarado yelled at Dom Smith after striking him out. pic.twitter.com/NOBx5zmOBK
— SNY (@SNYtv) May 1, 2021

After the game, which the Phillies won 2-1, Smith wasn't shy about his feelings about Alvarado.

"I don't mind people pimping strikeouts and pimping stuff on the field. I've never been a player like that, but I don't mind it; I love it," Smith said, according to ESPN. "But him pointing at me, coming after me, stuff like that -- I'm a grown-a** man. Come meet me then if you really got a problem, and we can really handle it.

"That's how I look at that issue. He waited for his team to grab him and stuff. But I'm right there. He can meet me in the tunnel tomorrow if he really wants to get after it."

Mets manager Luis Rojas blamed Alvarado for the scuffle, saying, "He was trying to get his attention, trying to start things."

The win propelled the Phillies into first in the NL East while the Mets are fourth with a 9-11 record. The Mets lead the season series against the Phillies 4-3 and the two sides will meet again on Saturday night.

More must-reads: