It was a misty night in South Philadelphia as the Phillies hosted their bitter NL East rivals, the New York Mets, for the start of a two-game home series.
After sweeping a two-game series in New York on Monday and Tuesday, the Phillies were looking to improve their series streak, as they have not lost a series in 12 straight. That is usually one of the marks of a good ballclub.
A shaky start gave the Mets an early lead. However, the Phillies offense woke up just in time, striking hard in the middle innings to give their pitching staff a comfortable lead. Bryce Harper set the tone with a three-hit game, being a triple short of the cycle.
The Phillies would coast to a 10-5 win over New York, giving them three wins in a row and four straight against the Mets.
First Inning Intrigue
Ranger Suarez took the mound for the Phillies in this one. Suarez has been one of the best pitchers across Major League Baseball to start the 2024 season. After working Brandon Nimmo into an 0-2 count, Suarez got the Mets’ left fielder to pop up to center field.
In what is normally a routine play, center fielder Johan Rojas would drop the ball, leading to the start of a weird inning for the Phillies.
Pete Alonso would strike out before shortstop Francisco Lindor would be hit by a pitch. Suarez would get JD Martinez to ground into a fielder’s choice before Mark Vientos gave the Mets a 1-0 lead. His RBI double would not be charged to Suarez’s ledger.
In the bottom of the first inning, Bryce Harper would get the party started. Harper drove his 10th home run into the left-field seats, tying the game at one apiece.
Weather or Mistakes?
Through the third inning, the Phillies had accumulated more errors than runs. After the Rojas error in the first, Cristian Pache followed things up in the third. A Pete Alonso ball hit off the wall, and Pache played it well on a bounce. His throw into second got past Bryson Stott and Bryce Harper, allowing the Polar Bear to reach third base.
Moments later, a wild pitch between Ranger Suarez and JT Realmuto would allow Alonso to score, giving the Mets the lead back, 2-1.
Johan Rojas would try and bunt for a base hit in the bottom of the third inning. Rojas would send the ball right back to the pitcher, Lucchesi, resulting in the first out of the inning. While Johan’s bunt game remains a work in progress, the ball needs to be directed down one of the lines in that situation. On a wet field, forcing the infield to move on the grass increases the probability of success.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, the Phillies would make another mental mistake. After hitting a ball hard to right, Nick Castellanos would try to stretch the hit into a double. Outfielder Starling Marte would throw Nick out by multiple steps, resulting in the second out of the inning.
Taking Advantage
In the bottom of the 5th inning, the Phillies took advantage of the Mets’ mistakes.
Edmundo Sosa and Cristian Pache would lead off the inning with back-to-back walks. Johan Rojas would then try and sacrifice the runners to second and third before pitcher Joey Lucchesi decided to try and get Edmundo Sosa at third. His throw was late, loading up the bases.
Kyle Schwarber would step to the plate with the bases loaded and nobody out. Schwarber wouldn’t have to lift the bat off his shoulder, as he walked on four pitches. JT Realmuto would follow up with an RBI single to right, taking a 3-2 lead.
With the bases loaded, Bryce Harper then drove everyone into the dugout. His RBI would score two runs before JT Realmuto would get thrown out at home plate. The Phillies exited the inning with a four-run outburst, leading 5-2.
Bryce Harper would have two extra-base hits, the home run, and a double, with 3 runs batted in after just five innings.
To the ‘Pen
It wasn’t his best start of the season, but Ranger Suarez put the Phillies in a position to win the game. Ranger finished with 5 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 3K. Because he left after the 5th, he earned the decision.
Spencer Turnbull would take the ball in the 6th inning. This was Turnbull’s third relief appearance on the season, and his fourth in his career. With the return of Taijuan Walker to the rotation, it does seem that Spencer is the odd man out. Taking over a role similar to what Matt Strahm held in 2023, this is a method to also manage his innings for the season.
In the bottom of the 6th, Cristian Pache would extend the lead with a fielder’s choice, driving home Bryson Stott. This would give the Phillies a 6-2 lead. Later in the inning, Kyle Schwarber would drive in Pache on a single and error combination. This extended the lead to 7-2.
Spencer Turnbull returned for the top of the 7th inning. He would allow a few base runners, but a clutch 5-4-3 double play helped the club get out of a jam.
The Phillies would add to their lead in the bottom half of the 7th frame. Scoring 3 more runs in the inning, gave the Phillies 8 runs between the 5th, 6th, and 7th in this game.
JD Martinez would hit his second home run of the season to lead off the 8th for New York. The Mets would tag Spencer Turnbull for 3 runs in the inning. This would end Turnbull’s evening, tossing 3 IP, 5 hits, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 0K, and 1 HR.
Seranthony Dominguez took the ball for the 9th inning to close things out for the Phillies. He would easily retire the side, 1-2-3, clinching the win for the Phils.
Upcoming Schedule for the Phillies
The Phillies will conclude this two-game series with the Mets on Thursday evening. With the win, they will go another series without losing. A win on Thursday would be the second straight two-game sweep of the New York Mets.
Next up, the Washington Nationals head to South Philly for a three-game weekend set. This will be the third straight in-division series for the Phillies, where they have gone 5-1 thus far.
Photo Credit: (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
