The legends were back in town as the Phillies kicked off their annual Alumni Weekend at Citizens Bank Park.
Lots of former players, managers, and executives gleefully walked around the park as they watched the new generation of Phillies on the field. The 2024 did not disappoint their predecessors as they took down the Washington Nationals 3-2.
Aaron Nola Shines
Aaron Nola shined for the Phillies on Friday night.
The longtime Phillie was able to keep the ball in the yard, something he has struggled in the past few seasons. Nola was mixing his pitch selection well, getting all kinds of outs throughout the game. His defense bailed him out in a couple of tight situations but Nola did not make a mistake in his outing. Despite leaving the game with a 2-0 lead, the Phillies would later allow the Nats to tie the game. Aaron did not get the decision in this one.
The Phillies’ starter tossed 111 pitches in the ballgame, the most he’s thrown in several years. He started to fatigue late in the game but was able to deliver a standout performance on Friday evening.
Aaron’s stat line for the night: 6.2 IP, 7 H, 0 ER, 4 K, 2 BB, 0 HR
Everybody Hits!
The Phillies were spraying the ball all around the diamond Friday night.
Facing left-hander Patrick Corbin, the Phils’ bats were putting a lot of balls in play. Rob Thomson mentioned the other night about how when the team uses the whole field, they are a force to be reckoned with.
In the bottom of the third inning, they got on the board. Trea Turner led off the inning with his second single of the ballgame. At that point in the game, Turner was 5 for his last 7. He would advance to second on a walk by Bryce Harper and to third on a double play ball from Alec Bohm.
At third, Trea would then score from an RBI single off the bat of Nick Castellanos. It was Nick’s 61st run batted in of the season. Nick would then swipe second base, a move that caught Keibert Ruiz napping. JT Realmuto would drive him Castellanos with a single of this own, making it 2-0 Phillies.
Defense Wins Championships
While the offense battled, the Phillies’ defense was showing out against the Nationals.
JT Realmuto was tested early in the ballgame as Juan Yepez tried to swipe a bag on the two-time Gold Glove award-winning catcher. Realmuto nailed Yepez to end the inning, which breaks a cardinal sin in baseball. You never make the last out on the bases.
Later in the ballgame, the Nationals tried JT once again. This time it was rookie sensation James Woods. Woods earned a walk before attempting to get the extra bag. Realmuto wasn’t having it and tossed him out with ease, earning his second caught stealing on the night.
Bryson Stott wanted to get in on the action as well. With the Nationals threatening in the 4th, Stott laid out for a ball up the middle. His diving stop and flip to Trea Turner at second base got the Phillies out of the jam and the fans on their feet.
Bullpen Has Mixed Results
In the top of the 7th, the Nationals threatened once more.
With runners at second and third and two outs, Washington needed a base hit to tie the ballgame. Matt Strahm entered for the Phillies, getting Alex Call to fly out to right field. This ended the Washington comeback attempt and sent the Phils into the bottom of the 7th with their 2-0 lead.
In the top of the 8th, Strahm would remain in the ballgame. He would strikeout leadoff hitter CJ Abrams to start the frame but then allow James Wood to rip a double to left. Wood was 3/3 with 2 singles, a double, and a walk in the ballgame.
Jeff Hoffman would then enter for the Phillies. Trying to maintain a two-run lead, Hoffman got Andres Chaparro to pop up to Bryson Stott. With two outs, up stepped Keibert Ruiz. Ruiz, who had homered twice in Thursday’s matchup, would battle with the Phillies’ all-star relief pitcher. Jeff Hoffman battled him into a 1-2 count, punching the final strike needed to get him out.
In the 9th, the Phillies turned the game over to their top trade deadline acquisition Carlos Estévez. Estévez got a light show entrance as he made his way to the mound to start the inning.
The first two batters would reach, meaning the tying run was on first base with nobody out. The Phillies’ closer battled with Jose Tena the next batter. Tena would single, scoring a run and moving the other run to third. The next batter would ground into a fielder’s choice, but tie the game up at 2 a piece.
With two outs, Tena would swipe second base, making it a little more interesting. With the go-ahead run in scoring position, CJ Abrams battled into a full count, where he would go down chasing ball four.
Phillies walk it off
Brandon Marsh would lead off the 9th inning for the Phillies. Marsh singled to right and then advanced on a throwing error, stopping at second base.
Rob Thomson went to his bench again, pinch-hitting Cal Stevenson for Johan Rojas. Stevenson dropped a perfect bunt, moving Marsh to third. The Nationals did not communicate well on the play (perhaps a credit to the packed Citizens Bank Park). This allowed Stevenson to reach first as well. Kyle Schwarber would then dig into the batter’s box. After working a 3-0 count, the Nationals decided to walk Schwarber and face Trea Turner.
Turner ripped a ball to deep left field, walking it off for the Phillies. Trea has gone 7/10 at the plate since Rob Thomson sat him on Tuesday afternoon. The Phillies have now won three straight ballgames and are looking much like the teams saw in the first half of 2024.
Postgame
After the game, Rob Thomson was asked what he had seen from Trea over the last two games.
“Yeah it’s been good, he’s been using the field. It’s what we talked about a few days ago. He’s staying on pitches and he’s not chasing quite as much. In the ninth inning there the first pitch was up and it was a chase but he cleared his head and got back into the at-bat.”
In the 9th inning, Thomson opted to use Cal Stevenson over Johan Rojas in a bunt situation. I asked him what went into that decision.
“I know that Stevenson can bunt. [But] the thing is that if you get to 2-strikes and take the bunt off, you have a left-handed hitter on a right-handed pitcher.”
It is an interesting choice given that Rojas’ bunting ability has been put into question several times this season. It was an area he had publically be instructed to work on and he was taken out of a game when given a chance to showcase that progress.
Overall, it worked out for Thomson and the Phillies. They get two more against Washington and will welcome more legends to the ballpark the rest of this weekend.
Photo Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
