Joe Girardi gifts Buck Showalter a late birthday present and 2 more things you missed from Phillies loss

The Philadelphia Phillies didn’t do themselves any favors, as they gifted the New York Mets a win on Buck Showalter’s birthday to increase their NL East deficit.

With the loss, the Mets now lead the NL East by 8.5 games, which is a heavy advantage for this early in the season.

While there’s a long way to go, it’s tough to see this Phillies team as currently constructed making a run. The outfield defense, for one, is despicable — and the in-game pitching staff management hasn’t improved with Girardi in charge.

Saturday night was an example of both. Facing Francisco Lindor, Zach Eflin gave up a deep fly ball to left-center field that should have been caught. Unfortunately, Kyle Schwarber and Odubel Herrera crashed into each other as the ball fell innocently shy of the wall.

Oof. Happy birthday, Buck!

Mets: Lindor wouldn’t splurge on Buck Showalter’s birthday

Showalter enjoyed Shakira’s appearance at Citi Field earlier this season so much that the team nearly tried to fly her back for his birthday.

Unfortunately, that would’ve been on Lindor’s dime, rather than team owner Steve Cohen. Lindor wasn’t about to spend that sort of money, even on his manager and good friend’s birthday present.

Yet, Lindor wouldn’t splurge. Shakira is Showalter’s favorite recording artist, and the team wouldn’t pay for her to appear at a Mets-sponsored party. Buck…wasn’t thrilled, as you can hear on the recording above.

Mets: Jeff McNeil hit a patriotic home run

I’ll be frank with you — there’s not much to feel patriotic about these days. Hell, Giants manager Gabe Kapler even stopped coming out for the National Anthem, and I don’t blame him.

Yet, Jeff McNeil’s fourth inning home run, which he hit right after seeing an eagle, even makes me want to salute the flag this Memorial Day.

It doesn’t get more American than that.