Categories: 2022 Postgame Recaps

Phillies squeeze out another big victory against wild card foes

Alec Bohm drove in the game-winning run on Saturday against the Cardinals. (Photo by Larry Radloff/Icon Sportswire)

Final Score: Phillies 1, Cardinals 0

In a matchup of two of the more prolific offenses in the National League, the last three contests have been pitcher’s duels with the Phillies coming out on top. In fact, the Phillies pitching staff has a 27-inning scoreless streak against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Alec Bohm drove in the go-ahead run in the ninth inning on a sacrifice fly. Darick Hall led off the inning with a double into the gap in right-center field.

After allowing a combined 11 earned runs in his last two starts, Gibson bounced back with seven shutout innings. He worked primarily inside on Cardinals hitters and it paid off as the 34-year-old struck out five and induced 16 swing-and-misses. José Alvarado earned his third victory of the year and Corey Knebel got Nolan Arenado to strike out looking in the ninth inning on a high curveball after a nine-pitch at-bat and four foul balls.

The Phillies have clinched a season series victory against the Cardinals, which is huge considering that head-to-head victories are used as the first tiebreaker for playoff spots. They now have a two-game lead over St. Louis for the final wild card spot in the National League.

All about Alec

Bohm upstaged the best defensive third baseman in the majors twice on Saturday. In the second inning, Bohm snagged a nasty one hopper off the bat of Arenado. He threw a rocket from the third base foul line to the first baseman Rhys Hoskins to record the out.

And while Bohm has struggled on short dribblers to the side of the mound in the past, he made this one look easy. Arenado’s second plate appearance ended in a helmet slam down the first-base line. For Bohm, that had to be satisfying.

In the ninth inning, Bohm drove in the go-ahead run on a sacrifice fly, but gave the Cardinals a golden opportunity to pick up a walk-off victory when he threw a potential double play ball into the outfield. It didn’t matter in the end because Knebel was able to keep St. Louis scoreless in the ninth.

Shibe Vintage Sports Notes

Manager Rob Thomson told reporters before the game that Zach Eflin (right knee bruise) will not return before the All-Star Break. He’s scheduled to throw a bullpen session on July 10.

Thomson also provided an update on Connor Brogdon (COVID-19 injured list). He experienced some arm tightness after his July 7 rehab outing with the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPig, but he’s expected to rejoin the Phillies during the Marlins series next weekend.

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