One day after getting benched for a game following a comment on Monday evening, Nick Castellanos made a diving catch and was one of three Phillies to have a multi-hit game as the Phillies defeated the Marlins 4-2 on Wednesday evening. Ranger Suárez pitched seven strong innings, his eighth-straight quality start, to earn his sixth win of the season.
Matt Strahm earned his fourth save of the year, allowing one run in the bottom of the ninth inning while striking out two. Bryson Stott, meanwhile, went 2-for-3 on the day with a three-run home run. Alec Bohm also went 3-for-4 on the day, reaching base four times, but failing to score.
Four runs in the Rav-4th inning
Action began for the Phillies in the top of the fourth inning. Alec Bohm led off the inning on a line drive single into center field. Castellanos then followed up his own line drive into center field. Dane Myers made what appeared to be a diving catch for the out. There was some confusion between the umpires, however, and it was ruled that it was a drop. Bohm, who was already retreating to first base on the original out call, was then easily forced out at second base.
Following a Max Kepler walk, J.T. Realmuto slung a single into left field, scoring Castellanos to put the Phillies on the board. With two runners on, Bryson Stott stepped up intending to clear the bases, hitting a home run off the center field wall, giving the Phillies a 4-0 lead.
Ranger comes into town and takes care of business
Ranger Suárez struck out four batters in the first two innings and cruised his way to four scoreless innings going into the fifth. On a 2-1 count, Suárez let a cutter hang over the middle of the plate to Connor Norby. Norby took the cutter 415 feet into center field, putting the Marlins on the board. The home run was only the third home run allowed by Suárez through his nine starts on the year.
Norby’s home run would be the lone blemish of the day on Suárez. Suárez went on to retire the next six batters before allowing a leadoff single to Wagaman in the bottom of the seventh. Overall, Suárez ended the day having pitched 7.0 innings, allowing one run on four hits and two walks. His eight strikeouts tied a season high set on May 27 against the Atlanta Braves.
“He’s pitched so great,” said Thomson post-game on Suárez. “You know, seven innings, 95 pitches or whatever it was, eight strikeouts, a lot of soft contact. The only really bad pitch he made was the home run pitch. He tried to go in with a cutter, 2-1, and he just left it out over the middle of the plate. But he’s been tremendous.”
In 82.0 innings pitched, Suárez now owns a 3.18 ERA against the Marlins.
Late inning drama and a great catch
Orion Kerkering earned the save on Monday against the Marlins. Wednesday night, Kerkering was tasked with holding the Marlins at one run in the bottom of the eighth. Kerkering quickly dispatched with the Marlins, striking out two while walking one on the inning.
Matt Strahm entered the game looking for his fourth save of the season. The left-hander found his way into trouble right away, allowing a double into left field to Heriberto Hernandez. After striking out Wagaman, Strahm allowed a single to Dane Myers, scoring Hernandez. Strahm then struck out Norby for the second out of the inning before allowing a single to Jack Winkler, the first of his Major League career.
With the tying run on first, pinch hitter Nick Fortes hit a line drive into right field. Castellanos, who was originally removed from Monday’s affair as a defensive substitution, made the catch jumping into the right field wall to secure the Phillies’ victory.
Inside the stats
Despite a combined 0-for-9 performance from Trea Turner and Kyle Schwarber, the Phillies’ offense got the job done Wednesday evening. Alec Bohm notched three hits on the day while Nick Castellanos, Max Kepler, J.T. Realmuto, and Bryson Stott scored the runs for the Phillies. Castellanos and Stott each tallied two hits while Stott managed the three-run home run that secured the victory.
“It’s an amazing game, isn’t it?” said Thomson on Castellanos’ performance. “I’m so happy for him. He hit the ball great, swung the bat great tonight, had great at bats, and makes that tremendous catch… he really played well.”
On the mound, Suárez continued to get the job done, striking out a season-high eight batters, forcing Marlins’ batters to expand the strike zone all night long. Kerkering, meanwhile, recorded his 11th hold of the year while Strahm closed out his fourth save in eight opportunities.
Closing out the series
The Phillies will look to secure the victory in the four-game series against the Marlins on Thursday evening as Cristopher Sánchez faces off against Edward Cabrera. First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 p.m.
Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
