Categories: 2021 Postgame Recaps

Harper homers, Phillies avoid being swept by Dodgers

Bryce Harper homered Thursday. (Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire)

Final Score: Phillies 2, Dodgers 1

The Philadelphia Phillies lost the first two games of their series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, snapping a season-long 8-game winning streak. Give the Phillies some credit, though, they were able to rebound Thursday afternoon and avoid a sweep at the hands of the defending World Series Champions.

Bryce Harper got things started in the home half of the first inning, hitting a 421-foot home run off of Dodgers starter Mitch White to left-center field to give them a 1-0 lead:

In the home half of the sixth, Harper was plated for the second time on the day, this time coming on an RBI single off the bat of Ronald Torreyes.

The two runs proved to be all that Phillies pitching needed, with Ranger Suárez, Enyel De Los Santos, Héctor Neris, Archie Bradley and Ian Kennedy combining to hold the Dodgers to just three hits and one run in a 2-1 victory.

Granted, this got a bit too-close-for-comfort in the top of the ninth inning, as Phillies closer Ian Kennedy was squeezed not once but twice by home plate umpire Alfonso Márquez, with the second time leading to the ejection of Joe Girardi:

But after Kennedy hit Will Smith to load the bases, the veteran righty was able to record what felt like the fifth out of the inning when Billy McKinney flew out to Andrew McCutchen in left field to end the game.

With the win, the Phillies move a half game ahead of the Atlanta Braves in the National League East race. The Braves will send LHP Kyle Muller to the mound in their series finale against the Cincinnati Reds this evening, hoping to keep pace with the Phillies. After the Reds finish their series in Atlanta, they’ll travel to Citizens Bank Park for a three-game set this weekend.

Shibe Vintage Sports Starting Pitching Performance

Mitch White gave the Dodgers four innings in Thursday’s game, allowing three hits and two earned runs, while striking out four batters.
Ranger Suárez allowed just three hits and one runs over 4 1/3 innings. The 25-year-old threw 82 pitches, which Phillies Nation‘s Nathan Ackerman noted is the most he’s ever thrown in a major league game.

Phillies Nugget Of The Game

Postgame Notes

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