The Phillies finally won a series against a team with a losing record. Some said it was impossible, but, with a little bit of magic, the Phillies did it.
It was the first time since the 1st of August that they were able to play to their level of baseball and not their competitions’. One of these games was less fun than the others. See if you can figure out which one.
Game 1: Everything I do, I do it for Krew
Bryce Harper finally returned from the paternity list after the birth of his first child, Krew Aron Harper. The wonderful life event helped Phillies fans forget the events in Miami.
Jason Vargas seemed to be cruising in this game. Through 6 innings, the only run he allowed was on a single by pitcher Joe Musgrove. Brad Miller supplied the lead for the lefty on a 2-run shot in 4th inning.
The wheels, however, fell off the proverbial wagon in the 7th inning. Vargas did not retire any of the 3 batters he faced that inning and left the game looking at a 2-2 tie with runners on 1st and 2nd.
Jose Alvarez came in to record an out on a sacrifice bunt and intentionally walk Josh Bell. Intensity fueled Jared Hughes came in to take the reigns and immediately let the reigns go. A single by Kevin Newman put the Buccos up 4-2.
That would be it for the Pirates in the 7th. All felt hopeless. A new losing streak would soon dawn across the land we call Philadelphia.
Or would it?
With 2 down in the bottom of the 8th, newly minted dad Bryce Harper hit one just out of the park to bring the Phillies back 4-3. JT Realmuto felt a similar dad energy and got a single with Corey Dickerson up next. CD wouldn’t be left out of the dad parade as he hit a go-ahead 2-run homer, representing his 2 kids, Beth Anne and Miller.
Probably.
In the top of the 9th, Josh Bell, being jealous of the child having Phillies’ fathers, tied the game with a moonshot to Ashburn Alley.
Bryce Harper tried to walk it off in the bottom of the 9th, but we can only assume the home plate umpire was also jealous of the Phillies’ Phathers’ Club. He called 2 strikes that were off the plate and that would’ve resulted in a walk-off walk.
Instead, we got free baseball.
Good defense prevented the Phillies from winning in the 10th. Mike Morin pitched a solid 10th and 11th innings with an assist from JT Realmuto. Realmuto felt like he gave an assist for every pitcher as he caught 3 pirates trying to steal. It was the first time that a Phillies catcher caught 3 players stealing in a game since Chris Coste in 2007.
Finally in the 11th, Sean Rodriguez sent everyone home happy. Nooo, he didn’t announce his retirement on field. He smacked a laser of a walk off home run.
He would later call Phillies fans entitled. Phillies win 6-5.
Game 2: Rhys is Slumping
Pirates went up 2-0 early in this one with rookie Bryan Reynolds’ 14th homer of the year.
Rhys is slumping.
Adam Haseley would single home Corey Dickerson to cut the Pirates’ lead to 1. Rhys is slumping. Rhys Hoskins would hit a single and be erased on a double play. Rhys is slumping. Rhys is slumping. Corey Dickerson would tie the game up with a single to bring home Bryce Harper.
In the 4th, Rhys is slumping. Adam Haseley would come through again with an RBI single. Rhys is slumping.
Rhys is slumping. Rhys is slumping. Rhys is slumping. Logan Morrison tied it up with a home run. Rhys is slumping.
Phillies let leadoff doubles in the 7th and the 8th go to waste. Rhys is slumping. Rhys is slumping. Gnipmuls si Syhr.
R H Y S I S S L U M P I N G, defensively now too.
Phillies lose 5-4.
Game 3: Rhys’d Up Railing
HOLD THE PHONE. Don’t drop it. You’ll be expecting a call.
*ringing* Go ahead, answer it.
Rhys Hoskins: I m b a a a a c k
In his first at-bat of the night, Rhys Hoskins tripled off the wall in right field. That’s right. I said tripled. Cesar Hernandez made sure he wouldn’t be stranded and singled him home. In return, Adam Haseley doubled Cesar home.
Rhys tripling wasn’t the most impressive feat he accomplished. In the bottom of the third, Rhys doubled down the left-field line, scoring Bryce Harper. On that hit, something magical happened. The ball skidded along the outfield fence railing like an ice cube gliding across grease.
Not Ice Cube, an ice cube. Just watch this.
Besides there being Angels in Ashburn Alley, the Phillies hit a lot in this game. Corey Dickerson hit his 9th homer. He now has 23 RBI in 21 games with the Phillies.
JT Realmuto hit his 20th home run of the season and Scott Kingery hit his 30th double.
Phillies won by a lot 12-3.
