Final Score: Phillies 5, Nationals 1
WASHINGTON — The Phillies’ first home run since Sunday turned out to be Rhys Hoskins’ 30th of the season. Only Austin Riley and Kyle Schwarber have hit more home runs against the Nationals this season. He’s four away from his career high of 34 in 2018. He went 2-for-5 with two RBIs in the 5-1 victory over Washington.
Hoskins admitted after the game that the Chicago series wore on the team.
“A first inning run was going to go a long way for us there,” Hoskins said. “I think everybody got to take a little bit of a deep breath, know that we can still score runs.
“Again, Chicago was not good. Just plain and simple, right? But we know that we’re still in it. We still have a chance as long as we just continue on focusing with what we have in front of us.”
J.T. Realmuto dominated on the bases. He stole two bags in the first, another in the ninth and became only the second catcher in MLB history to hit at least 20 home runs and steal 20 bases in a season. Hall of Fame catcher Ivan Rodriguez, who hit 35 home runs and stole 25 bases in 1999, is the only other catcher to accomplish this feat.
Not to mention, Realmuto is the most prolific base stealer in the big leagues this season. He is 21-for-21 on stolen base attempts and is the only player in the majors to steal at least 18 bases without getting caught. Chase Utley (2009) is the only Phillie to have stolen at least 20 bases without getting caught in a season.
Behind the plate, he continues to steal outs for the Phillies. He recorded two caught stealings in the third to raise his caught stealing percentage to 43, inching closer to his career high CS% of 47 in 2019. It could have been three if it wasn’t for one of the more moronic displays of officiating we’ve seen. Realmuto caught Luis Garcia off second base. Bryson Stott and Alec Bohm cornered him into a rundown, but the play was ruled dead by home plate umpire and crew chief Marvin Hudson when Victor Robles’ bat hit Realmuto. Catcher’s interference?
Anyway, Zach Eflin, who was in to pitch the seventh inning, struck out Robles to end the frame. Everyone swore the pitch before was ball four.
Bailey Falter was superb over six innings. He struck out six Nationals hitters on his way to his sixth victory of 2022. This isn’t the first time this season the Phillies got a big start out of the Falter when they desperately needed it. He was the team’s “stopper” during the last Mets home series as well as the away series in Arizona, ending two three-game losing streaks.
“Especially after my piss poor performance last outing, it felt really good to go out there and give the team a chance to win,” Falter said. “The boys earned it. I was just happy I delivered for them.”
José Alvarado pitched a scoreless eighth inning. Seranthony Domínguez ran into trouble in the ninth. He threw 34 pitches and stranded the bases loaded. Stott made a terrific play to get former Phillie César Hernandez to end the ballgame.
Shibe Vintage Sports Notes
- The Phillies’ magic number to clinch a playoff spot is five. The win guarantees that they will not be out of the playoff picture by the end of tonight.
- Realmuto is only the 11th catcher since 1901 to record three stolen bases in a game. He’s the first catcher to do it in the 21st century. The Pirates’ Jason Kendall (1999) was the last to steal three in a game.
Ticket IQ Next Game
- Friday, September 30 — Game Two against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park
- 7:05 p.m. ET
- TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia
- Radio: Sportsradio 94 WIP
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