After a 108-minute rain delay that featured little rain, the Philadelphia Phillies got down to business in their series opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Phillies worked a late-inning comeback to take game one 8-4 against the Pirates, giving Ranger Suárez his second win of the season.
Bryce Harper earned his 1,000th RBI on the day for the Phillies, while Alec Bohm extended his hitting streak to 11 games. As a team, the Phillies combined for nine hits and eight walks on the day.
One Milestone Stolen and One Earned
If you had to guess which batted ball would earn a milestone, would it be the one with a 66 mph exit velocity that only went 207 feet? Or the 105 mph drive that went 405 feet? You would guess the one that went 405 feet, and you would be wrong.
With no one on base, Kyle Schwarber stepped to the plate in the bottom of the third, looking to seal the deal on his 300th career home run. He took a sinker from Heaney 405 feet into center field, but outfielder Matt Gorski made a fantastic catch to steal the home run ball from the slugger.
After Schwarber’s close attempt in the third, the Phillies finally broke the ice in the bottom of the fifth inning. Edmundo Sosa ripped a line drive down the left field line for a lead-off double. Sosa worked to third base on a wild pitch to Weston Wilson. Following a Wilson walk and a fielder’s choice to Johan Rojas, Trea Turner came to the plate with runners on the corners. Turner hit a chopper to the third baseman, resulting in a 5-2-5-1 run-down to get Sosa out at home. Rojas advanced to third on the play.
With runners remaining on the corners, Bryce Harper stepped up to the plate with eyes set on recording his 1,000th RBI. Slapping a single into right field, Harper did exactly that, scoring Rojas to lock in RBI number 1,000 and a 1-0 lead for the Phillies.
Harper is now the 306th player in Major League Baseball history to reach the 1,000 RBI mark. He is the 11th player to do so in a Phillies’ uniform, with the most recent being Ryan Howard on May 31, 2014.
One blemish on Suárez’s Day
After allowing a pair of baserunners, Suárez allowed a three-run home run into right field to Alexander Canario, giving the Pirates a 3-1 lead. Suárez would finish the day having pitched seven innings, allowing three runs while striking out six Pirates batters. Increasing his workload, Suárez ended the day just shy of 100 pitches, landing at 98 on the day, 67 being strikes.
Canario’s home run placed starter Andrew Heaney in line for the win as he exited the game after five innings of work. He allowed one run to the Phillies on four hits, striking out two on the evening.
“He was fantastic,” said Rob Thomson post-game on Suárez. “Changeup was really good. You know, for the most part, he got ahead in the count. I thought he threw a lot of really good breaking balls, good shape. Threw them right on the back of the plate. Got some swings and misses on it.”
One hit, Four runs, One inning
Looking to get back on the board, Rojas worked a one-out walk in the bottom of the seventh inning. Turner then followed suit with a single of his own, putting two runners on base. The Pirates then brought in left-hander Ryan Borucki to face Harper. Harper check-swung and worked a full-count walk, loading the bases for Schwarber with one out. Manager Don Kelly did not agree with the call and was promptly ejected from the game by third base umpire John Libka.
With all 44,039 fans at their feet, Schwarber stepped up to the plate once again seeking home run number 300. The fans will need to wait for another day, but Schwarber got the job done, working the third walk of the inning, batting in Rojas to cut the Pirates’ lead in half.
With the baton now passed down the line, Castellanos found himself with his second bases-loaded opportunity of the day. An 0-2 sweeper from Borucki kept sweeping in on Castellanos, hitting his foot for a hit-by-pitch. With an RBI on his belt, Castellanos walked to first, having tied the game at 3-3.
With the Pirates’ third pitcher of the inning, Tanner Rainey, on the mound, the walk streak continued as Realmuto worked a five-pitch walk, scoring Harper. Bohm then hit a sacrifice fly into center field, scoring Schwarber.
Insurance runs and an unnecessary save
Jordan Romano entered the game to pitch the top of the eighth inning. After allowing a leadoff walk to former Phillie Andrew McCutchen, Romano worked a 6-4-3 double play to Joey Bart. He then got Ke’Bryan Hayes out on a pop-up in foul territory to finish out a clean eighth inning. Romano has now pitched seven consecutive scoreless outings for the Phillies.
The Phillies were not done adding on, however. With one out, Rojas worked his second walk of the day before Turner hit a triple down the right field line, scoring Rojas. Harper then returned the favor to Turner, slinging a single into right field, scoring him. Schwarber then continued the singles train with his own, moving Harper to third with one out.
Castellanos then attempted to work an infield single but was beaten by a throw from Isaiah Kiner-Falefa. Castellanos did earn an RBI on the play, scoring Harper for the Phillies’ eighth run of the day.
With a five-run advantage, Daniel Robert entered the game to pitch the top of the ninth inning. After allowing two baserunners to start the inning, Robert struck out Tommy Pham for the first out of the inning. Robert then walked Gorski to load the bases for Jared Triolo. Triolo walked, scoring Canario and taking Robert out of the game.
With the bases loaded and a four-out lead, Jose Alvarado entered the game in hopes of earning a two-out save. Alvarado struck out his first batter, Oneil Cruz, on four pitches. McCutchen then stepped up with the bases loaded and two outs. Alvarado quickly worked McCutchen into a groundout to shortstop to earn his seventh save of the season.
Inside the box
Every Phillies starter reached base on the night. Harper went 3-for-4 with two runs, two RBI, and one walk. Harper is now the 14th player in MLB history to reach 1,000 RBI, runs, and walks all before turning 33. Meanwhile, Rojas went 0-for-2 but scored three runs on the day with two walks and one fielder’s choice. Bohm extended his on-base streak to 11 games, while Turner hit his first triple of the year.
From the mound, Suárez pitched for his second win of the season, while Romano earned his fifth hold. The Phillies were hoping not to need Alvarado in the ninth, but the reliever came on and quickly worked a six-pitch save.
What’s next for the Phillies?
The Phillies and Pirates are back in action Saturday evening as Zack Wheeler goes up against Carmen Mlodzinski. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m.
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
