It was a rainy, dreary day in Philadelphia on Saturday. That didn’t change as afternoon turned to evening. In fact, the rain only picked up resulting in a one-hour and ten-minute delay to the start of Game 2 in the Phillies series against the San Francisco Giants. Throughout the night, the rain never truly slowed – and neither did the Phillies offense. Let’s break it down.
Phillies’ Offensive Explosion
The lineup looked slightly different in this one after the news that Trea Turner would be on the injured list with a hamstring injury. Neither a new man in the two hole nor mass precipitation and the delays associated with it could stop Philadelphia. Phillies runners saturated the infield as much as the rain did Saturday. They finished the game with 12 hits, 11 walks, and only struck out 4 times. The last time they had a game like that, you have to go all the way back to May 19, 2005. Starting pitcher Brett Myers even knocked in a run that day.
Not only that, they got right to the action – scoring 5 runs in the first inning after batting around, sending 10 hitters to the plate, and running Giants starter Keaton Winn from the game after just two-thirds of an inning. It was the first time the Phillies sent 10 hitters to bat in an inning since August 29, 2023, against the Angels. They did their damage on 5 hits, 2 walks, and a hit by pitch.
By the end of the second inning, Philadelphia had gone through their lineup two full times – adding another 4 runs on 3 more hits and 2 additional walks. At that point, everyone in Philadelphia’s starting lineup had reached base safely except for Nick Castellanos, who did reach on a fielder’s choice while knocking in a run.
Alec Bohm extended his hitting streak to 17 games in the second inning, becoming the first Phillies third baseman to have such a streak since Mike Schmidt in 1979. He did leave the game after the top of the third inning after he experienced hip flexor tightness as a result of a swing where he fell during his at-bat in the second inning, according to manager Rob Thomson.
“It was really precaution more than anything. He should be able to go tomorrow. We’ll check on him, but he should be able to go.”
Rob Thomson, postgame
By the end of the game, San Francisco turned to outfielder Tyler Fitzgerald for pitching duty, manager Rob Thomson emptied his bench, and everyone on the Phillies except for Garrett Stubbs and Kody Clemens reached base safely. All in all, every starter recorded a hit and despite scoring 14 runs total, no hitter recorded more than two RBIs.
Pitching and Defense
Quality pitching has become commonplace for the Phillies this season. Ranger Suárez went six innings despite the long delay prior to the game and the two long innings sitting while the offense went to work to start the game. He finished with 6 strikeouts to just one walk, allowing three runs overall – two of which came off the bat of Wilmer Flores who was 5-for-10 with 2 doubles against Ranger in his career prior to today. There was worry that Ranger Suárez might be taken out as well after he was checked on in the 5th inning, but Thomson said after the game “He just slipped and it looked like he was kind of hobbling, but he was fine.”
José Ruiz came in relief of Ranger for his first appearance of the season. He went two innings, scattering two hits and two walks, but not allowing a run. Seranthony Domínguez came in and shut the door for the final inning, striking out one and surrendering just one hit (no runs). Seranthony pitched on back-to-back days, but overall they were able to save the majority of the bullpen once again after needing to use five arms in relief Friday night.
When it comes to defense, they have been improving as the season goes along. Marsh made a nice jumping catch at the wall in the first inning, and the infield – despite some changes during the game – turned three double plays on the night. That is now five double plays in the last two games after recording 17 prior to that (good for 28th in the majors). Time will tell who will play where in the infield most often while Turner is out, but if Bohm is truly fine and ready to go tomorrow – their current options are gelling.
What’s Next?
Rob Thomson confirmed post-game that Spencer Turnbull will go to the bullpen. Cristopher Sánchez will start Tuesday when the team welcomes Toronto to town. He had noted pregame that they were ready to use Sánchez today, had they needed a long man. Ranger’s performance made that idea null and void, so Turnbull’s 1.67 ERA will join an already deep Phillies pen.
Tomorrow is game three against San Fran on ESPN’s Sunday Night baseball. Philly has a chance to do something they haven’t done so far in 2024 – win a four-game series. Taijuan Walker (1-0, 8.53 ERA) will take the mound for the Phillies in just his second start of the season. He will face off against last year’s NL Cy Young Award runner-up, Logan Webb (3-2, 2.98 ERA). Keep an eye on Schwarber and Castellanos tomorrow. Both men have a home run off Webb in their careers. and have gone a combined 5-for-9 against him.
Photo Credit: (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
