After taking the first two games, the Phillies had a chance to go for the sweep on Thursday night. After 7.1 hitless innings bring thrown by Zack Wheeler, the Tigers found a way to punch back.
With some late-game heroics by Kody Clemens, the Phillies would walk it off Thursday night to win their 5th straight ballgame.
The Phillies swept the Detroit Tigers this week and have improved their record to 30-32. The Fightins are on a roll with a 5-game-win streak, but they have a big test ahead of them with the Los Angeles Dodgers coming into town.
Check out how the Phillies went about sweeping the Tigers, with my recap of this series.
Game 1
Aaron Nola was absolutely brilliant on Monday night.
Nola went 7 innings, allowing 0 runs, striking out 12 batters, and getting the win. He took a no-hitter deep into this game and lost it on a 3-run home run to Nick Maton in the 7th with 2 outs.
Due to an error from Edmundo Sosa earlier in the inning, the Phillies should have been out of the jam, but the runs were not charged to Aaron’s stat line.
The offense really exploded in this game. Trea Turner was the explosion in this game.
In his best game as a Phillie, Turner went 4-5 with 2 home runs, 3 RBIs, and 3 runs scored. Trea hit the ball hard each time he came up and was the difference in this ballgame.
The Phillies would win game 1 by a final score of 8-3. Extending the win streak to 3 games.
Game 2
Game 2 was another pitching masterpiece, but this time by both teams.
The Phillies would send Taijuan Walker to the mound. Walker has struggled as a Phillies but delivered his best outing in red pinstripes thus far.
Taijaun went 7 innings with 8 strikeouts in this game without allowing a run. He followed up Nola with five no-hit innings of his own, took the ball, and guaranteed a Phillies win.
Only Need One
June Schwarber is not just a legend, but it is a promise.
Kyle Schwarber led off this game with a solo home run. Back in the leadoff spot, Kyle has looked more comfortable at the plate. By sending one into the seats, he gave the Phillies the only run of the game, and it was the only one they need.
The Phillies would win this game 1-0. Extending their win streak to 4 games and improving their record to 29-32.
Game 3
The Phillies prepared to play for a sweep on Wednesday night before the game was postponed due to smoke. For the first time in my life, I can say a baseball game was smoked out.
The Phils and Tigers took the field on Thursday instead, and once again, we found ourselves watching a pitching masterclass.
Zack Wheeler dominated the lowly Tiger’s lineup. Wheeler went 7.1 no-hit innings before his no-hit bid would be ended by Tyler Nevin.
Poor Defense Strikes
The Phillies’ defense struck twice in this game, nearly costing them the game.
Josh Harrison made a throwing error in the 8th, which extended the inning, and could’ve gotten Wheeler closer to a no-hitter. The runner would reach and come around to score for the Tigers, tying the game at 1-1.
Then in the 9th inning, Craig Kimbrel would try and throw over to first base. The ball would sail last Kody Clemens, allowing Javier Baez to reach second. Nick Maton would then drive in Baez with a single, a run that would not have scored had he been at first base.
This would give the Tigers a 2-1 lead. But the Phillies still had to bat in the 9th.
Bryce Harper would lead off the inning with a double. Follow by a Trea Turner walk, JT Realmuto would strike out swinging. Bryson Stott reached with an infield single and up stepped Brandon Marsh.
Marsh would drive in Harper with a sac fly, tying the game at 2.
Kody Clemens would then get a chance to win the game.
The Phillies will be back in action on Friday evening when they face off against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
AP Photo/Matt Slocum
