The Philadelphia Phillies took a brief intermission from a home stand for a quick trip to the Midwest, as they took on the Tigers in Detroit for a three-game series. After splitting the first two games, Philly looked to take the final game and the series in a Wednesday matinee.
Spencer Turnbull (3-0, 2.65 ERA) started the game for Philadelphia, re-taking the spot occupied by Taijuan Walker. He was opposed by Detroit’s opener Tyler Holton (3-1, 4.10 ERA). Philly broke things open in the fourth inning and continued to add on, leading to a 6-1 victory for the Fightin’s. Let’s see how we got there.
Pitching problems
When I say problem, I mean both formal and informal versions. The Phillies pitching was a problem for Tigers hitters all game. Outside of a lead-off home run by former Phillie Matt Vierling, Philadelphia hurlers stifled Detroit’s batters and kept them scoreless until they tallied another in the ninth, but by that time, it was too little too late. Tigers hitters only managed four total hits and two walks while striking out seven times against seven total Phillies pitchers.
The other type of problem is a problem for Philly, as starter-turned-reliever-turned-starter Spencer Turnbull left Wednesday’s contest after just three innings and only 36 pitches. The Phillies were planning for roughly 70 pitches for the right-hander coming into today’s contest. Turnbull had not thrown that few pitches since a one-inning outing back on May 29 against the San Francisco Giants. During the telecast, it was revealed that Turnbull was removed with “right shoulder tightness.” Philly would turn the game over to the bullpen and would send six relievers to the mound, each getting one full inning of work.
After the game, Phillies manager Rob Thomson said that Spencer felt something in the “back of his right shoulder” on the second-to-last pitch of his outing, a curve ball. Philly wanted to be extra careful, and they will hopefully find out more after further tests tomorrow.
Marsh gets it done
Brandon Marsh had been struggling as of late, hitting .229 with just three RBIs in his last 11 games and just .071 over the last week. He sure broke out today, going 4-for-4 with an opposite-field home run and four RBIs. He had struggled against left-handed pitching this season but tallied his first hit off the left-handed opener for Detroit. That seemed to get him settled, and he spoke with the broadcast team about that after the game:
“It gives you that little internal confidence that you can do it again. Coming off the first game of the series, it was pretty tough for me personally. The guys had my back and we got the dub (win), and today was just my turn”
Brandon Marsh on NBC Sports Philadelphia, Postgame
Marsh’s four runs batted in is the most he’s had in a game this season. The last time he tallied four RBIs was the season finale in 2023 on October 1 against the Mets. He’s only achieved this mark two other times in his career. The Phillies would have been 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position without Marsh, who was 2-for-2 in those situations on the day.
The attitude from Marsh, just saying that it was “his turn,” speaks to the mentality of this entire team, where they all have the same goal and know that if they struggle, someone else will pick them up until it is their turn.
Phillies take the series; what’s next?
The Phillies managed to take the series in the quick jet to Detroit and come home to face a division rival who, on paper, they should handle with ease. However, division games are always difficult, and the Marlins seem to have played the Phillies well over the last few years. They won’t have an off day, as this will be a four-game set.
Zack Wheeler (9-4, 2.73 ERA) will start things off for Philly tomorrow evening. He will be opposed by Trevor Rogers (1-8, 4.90 ERA). With an off-day on Monday, Philly may not need a fifth starter next time through the rotation, but we will have to wait to hear from the club to see what will happen with Turnbull and the starting rotation. Thomson did tell the media post-game that Michael Mercado, who made his major league debut two days ago, would likely be the next man up if Turnbull can’t go.
