Categories: 2021 Postgame Recaps

Andrew Knapp walks it off to avoid sweep

Final Score: Phillies 6, Giants 5

Another day, another disaster averted for the Philadelphia Phillies.

Andrew Knapp won the game on a walk-off base hit in the ninth. It could have been a much more comfortable victory if it wasn’t for a pinch-hit home run from Darin Ruf in the seventh and an inexcusable error in the outfield by Andrew McCutchen. Mickey Moniak began the scoring with his first-career home run.

Andrew Knapp brought home the winning run in Wednesday’s game. (Ian D’Andrea)

Prior to the game, the Phillies recalled infielder Scott Kingery and pitcher Spencer Howard. Jean Segura was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right quad strain and pitcher Ramón Rosso was optioned back to the alternate site.

The Phillies have an off day Thursday and will head back on the road to take on the Colorado Rockies. Vince Velasquez will oppose Gérman Márquez in a game that everyone watching will probably fall asleep early.

Top Plays

On a 3-2 sinker, Mickey Moniak launched his first career home run to left field. It gave the Phillies an early 3-0 lead in the bottom of the second. Hopefully, the kid doesn’t eat it.

Rhys Hoskins had a chance to drive in Andrew McCutchen, who reached on a walk. He worked an eight-pitch at-bat while fighting off the wind and ultimately struck out. Zach Eflin went out to start the third, but the rain quickly took over.
The delay lasted 44 minutes with play resuming at 2:30 pm ET. Girardi opted to keep Eflin in. He gave up a single to Mauricio Dubón, who was tagged out after trying to stretch his hit into a double. Second-base umpire C.B. Bucknor originally got the call wrong as Dubòn’s foot completely came off the bag.
Buster Posey, who has torched the Phillies in this series, came around to score in the third on a fielder’s choice. He began the inning with a double to left field. Harper made a smart play on the ball. The runners had to stay put at their base and while Harper had a play at the plate, the Phillies right fielder instead opted to get a sure out at second since Wilmer Flores had no chance to reach the bag.
Nick Maton drove in a run but was not credited with an RBI when he singled to left in the sixth. Alex Dickerson misplayed the ball and Maton was able to advance to third. Two batters later, Kingery made his debut this season as a pinch-hitter and struck out.
Former Phillie Darin Ruf came off the bench and delivered a game-tying three-run home run in the seventh off of Brandon Kintzler, who struggled to get ahead of the hitters he faced. It was Ruf’s fifth career pinch-hit home run.

An error from McCutchen in left field kept the inning going, which allowed Dickerson to avenge his own error by singling in the go-ahead run off JoJo Romero. Spencer Howard came in and stranded the runners on first and third.
Bryce Harper tied the game with a two-out home run off Camilo Doval in the bottom of the seventh. Phillies have the wind to thank for that.

Howard’s outing continued into the eighth where he struck out the side.
Hoskins had the chance to put the Phillies ahead in the eighth with the bases loaded and two outs against former Phillies pitcher José Álvarez. He struck out on three pitches. Héctor Neris came in and pitched a scoreless ninth.
Andrew Knapp brought in the game-winning run on a base hit. Eflin said postgame that once Knapp came up with runners in scoring position, he knew it was game over.

Shibe Vintage Sports Starting Pitching Performance

Anthony DeSclafani: 4 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 5 SO, 68 pitches

DeSclafani, who grew up an hour from Philadelphia in Freehold, New Jersey, was solid all things considered. He came into this game with a 1.06 ERA on the season and while it wasn’t his best outing, DeSclafani was able to strand two runners on in the third. He badly missed his spot on the 3-2 sinker, which turns out to be his only blemish of the outing.

Zach Eflin: 6 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 SO, 86 pitches

The Phillies have to be ecstatic about the rain delay only lasting 45 minutes. Anything longer could have kept Eflin from coming back into the game. He was his usual efficient self in his first four innings and caught a few breaks near the end. An injury to Donovan Solano kept a run from scoring and the wind prevented Posey from hitting a three-run home run in the sixth.

Phillies Nuggets Player of the Game: Mickey Moniak

The Phillies hope that Mickey Moniak’s day ends a streak of offensive ineptitude for Phillies center fielders. His three run home run was the first round tripper and first RBI for any Phillies center fielder this season. The position group now has more RBIs than Nationals, Cubs and Giants center fielders.

For Moniak, it must feel really good to get his first home run. Many wondered if he’d ever make it to the big leagues after struggling in the minors. For the time being, the former No. 1 overall pick is here to stay.

Postgame Notes

Girardi expects Didi Gregorius to play in Friday’s game.
Odúbel Herrera will not be on the taxi squad in their upcoming road trip. “The at-bats are important for Odúbel,” Girardi said postgame. Herrera will remain at the alternate site in Lehigh Valley.
Girardi does not have an exact timetable for Segura’s injury. “We felt pretty comfortable it was at least going to be 10 days,” Girardi said.

Quote of the Game

Mickey Moniak confirmed after the game that he did receive his first home run ball. He’s aware that two youngsters were in possession of the ball.

“There definitely could be [bite marks]. Honestly, I really hope so.”

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