The bats woke up, and the wind blew as the Philadelphia Phillies claimed a 6-4 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday night. As the Phillies improved to 10-7 on the season, Orion Kerkering earned his second win, and Matt Strahm earned his first save.
The Phillies’ offense combined for 10 hits on the day, while Bryce Harper and J.T. Realmuto each went yard. Brandon Marsh, meanwhile, had a few productive at-bats but remained hitless, extending his slump to 0-for-29.
Phillies Work an Early Lead
Bryson Stott led off the game for the Phillies with a single into left-center field. Later in the inning, Kyle Schwarber worked a walk to extend his on-base streak to 23 games, including all 17 so far this season. Despite a fly ball to the warning track by Trea Turner that likely would have been out of the park without an inward wind, Stott and Schwarber were left stranded on base in the first.
The next inning, J.T. Realmuto hit a solo home run into center field to lead off the inning for the Phillies. Realmuto’s home run had an exit velocity of 104.4 miles per hour and went 387 feet.
Max Kepler then followed up with a double down the right field line. At the bottom of the lineup, Alec Bohm and Brandon Marsh recorded two productive outs to score Kepler. Bohm first grounded out to second base to move Kepler to third. Marsh then hit a sacrifice fly into right field, allowing Kepler to score and picking up the RBI. Knowing the center fielder’s struggles, fans welcomed Marsh’s sacrifice fly with encouraging applause as the Phillies took the early 2-0 lead.
A Tale of Two Double Plays
Luzardo found himself in his first spot of trouble in the top of the fourth inning. After striking out Jung Hoo Lee to record the first out, Matt Chapman hit a double to Monty’s Angle in center field. Luzardo then allowed Wilmer Flores on base on a full-count walk to bring first baseman Casey Scmitt to the plate. Chapman and Flores then executed a double steal to move both of them into scoring position, allowing the pair to score on a single from Schmitt into left field, tying the game up at 2-2. Luzardo then worked his way out of the inning on a double play ball up the middle to Stott.
The Phillies attempted to regain the lead in the bottom half of the inning but were cut short. With 1 out, Realmuto reached base on an error by shortstop Willy Adames. Kepler then recorded his second hit of the day, a single, moving Realmuto to third. Realmuto would not advance further as Bohm grounded into a 4-6-3 double play to end the inning.
Going to the Bullpen
The top of the sixth inning came around, and after a pop-out from Adames, Luzardo allowed a double to Lee and walked Chapman, putting two runners on base as Luzardo hit 90 pitches. Manager Rob Thomson elected to go to the bullpen, calling in Orion Kerkering to take over with one out in the inning.
Kerkering allowed both runners to advance on a wild pitch before a ground out from Flores allowed Lee to score, giving the Giants the lead. Kerkering then proceeded to strike out Schmidt on an outside sweeper to keep the second inherited runner from scoring.
Luzardo’s day ended having allowed 3 runs on 5 hits over 5.1 innings. Striking out 4 batters on the day, Luzardo’s fastball topped at 97.2 mph. On the day, Luzardo’s ERA rose from 1.50 to a still strong 1.93.
Phillies Take Back the Lead
With one out in the bottom of the sixth, Schwarber and Nick Castellanos slung back-to-back singles to put runners on base for the Phillies. Realmuto then made it three-straight singles, hitting a fly ball into left field, barely out of reach of Ramos in left field, scoring Schwarber as Castellanos advanced to second. Castellanos was then left diving back to second base as Kepler hit a line drive to the shortstop for the second out.
In need of a good at bat, Alec Bohm steps up to the plate, stringing a red zone fastball into center field, scoring Castellanos, and knocking Verlander out of the game.
Looking to continue the rally, Marsh stepped up to the plate against Giants right-hander Randy Rodríguez. Marsh hit a sharp line drive directly to the center field to end the inning.
“Everybody was pretty fired up seeing those guys be able to contribute to the club,” said Rob Thomson on Bohm and Marsh. “They love each other, and they want to see their teammates do well, and they did.”
Stott then led off the bottom of the seventh with a triple down the right field line to keep the pressure on the Giants’ bullpen. Harper then took a 3-0 slider deep into right field for the 2-run home run, increasing the Phillies’ lead to 6-3.
Alvarado Allows a Slew of Singles
After a successful inning of relief from Jordan Romano in the seventh, Jose Alvarado entered in the top of the eighth inning, allowing three consecutive singles to start the inning, scoring Ramos and placing runners on the corners.
Alvarado managed to get Chapman to pop out to second base for the first out of the inning. Alvarado then struck out Flores, the designated hitter, on a cutter for out number two. Then, with 38,000 fans in attendance on their feet, Alvarado got out of the inning with a fly ball to the warning track in center field.
“He didn’t give up a solid hit tonight, kind of soft contact,” said Thomson about Alvarado. “He’s throwing the ball well, as long as he’s throwing strikes, I’m good with him.”
Matt Strahm later came in and earned his first save of he season, retiring the Giants in order in the top of the ninth inning.
Inside the Box
Win number 10 of the season for the Phillies featured the bats coming alive, combining for 10 hits on the day. Bryson Stott, J.T. Realmuto, and Max Kepler each went 2-for-4 with a run scored each on the day, while Realmuto also hit a home run and notched 2 RBIs. Bryce Harper also hit a 2-run home run and worked a walk.
Kyle Schwarber kept his on-base streak alive, reaching 3 times on the day with 1 hit and 2 walks, also scoring a run.
Brandon Marsh was the only Phillies batter on the day to fail to reach base, continuing his hitless streak to 0-for-29. The center fielder did make contact on 2 balls, sending them to the warning track, but both were recorded as outs as he went 0-for-3 with a sacrifice fly on the day.
What’s Next?
The Phillies will return to action Wednesday evening for game 3 of their series with the Giants. Aaron Nola will be on the mound for the Phillies as he goes against Robbie Ray.
The first pitch is scheduled for 6:30 P.M.
Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
