Phillies magic number at 3 after 5 home run night, big Marlins comeback win
Final Score: Phillies 8, Nationals 2
WASHINGTON — For the sanity of all involved, the Phillies needed a relatively comfortable win in the nightcap of the doubleheader. Kyle Schwarber, as he’s done numerous times for the Phillies this season, set the tone on the second pitch of the game.
He crushed an 0-1 fastball 424 ft into the second deck of Nationals Park to put the Phillies on the board.
The offense did not let up on poor Tommy Romero. They hit five home runs against the former Tampa Bay Rays pitcher, including four from the Phillies outfield. Schwarber homered a second time in the fourth and Matt Vierling capped off a five-run inning with the third home run of the frame, a two-run blast to make it 7-0.
Alec Bohm tapped in to his pull power for his first home run since Sept. 18 and his third of the season against the Nationals. Brandon Marsh hooked one inside the foul pole to go back-to-back with Bohm.
What shouldn’t get lost is Noah Syndergaard’s terrific outing in tough circumstances. His start date was shifted twice and he was expected to eat some innings after only pitching a scoreless two innings over the last three weeks. He went 5 2/3 innings, struck out three and allowed only two hits. Thomson was able to give Connor Brogdon a low-leverage outing with runners on and the 29th man Cristopher Sanchez finished off the game to give the back end guys some rest. He allowed two runs in the ninth, but all that matters was that he picked up nine outs.
As the Phillies’ comfortable lead grew, attention turned to the Marlins-Brewers game in Milwaukee. Miami starter Edward Cabrera no-hit the Brew Crew through three, but he exited the game early with an ankle injury. The Brewers took a 3-2 lead in the sixth on a hit-by-pitch and RBI groundout.
Closer Devin Williams was called on to earn the save in back-to-back nights. He blew it by surrendering a two-run single to Carlos De La Cruz. Richard Bleier earned the save to close it out and cut the Phillies magic number to three.
The Phillies are now 85-72. Sunday is expected to be the worst day of the weekend as far as weather goes. If the game is on, Zack Wheeler will pitch for the Phillies. Patrick Corbin gets the start for Washington.
Shibe Vintage Sports Notes
- Per the Phillies, Schwarber’s 10 home runs against the Nationals this season are the most by a Phillies player against one team since Mike Schmidt, who hit 10 against the Cubs in 1980. He also tied Dick Allen (1968), Ryan Howard and Chase Utley (2006) for the most multi-home run games in a season by a Phillie with seven.
- Nationals starter Tommy Romero is the first Nationals pitcher to surrender five home runs in a start. He’s the eighth pitcher in MLB this season to give up five homers in a game.
Ticket IQ Next Game
- Sunday, October 2 vs. Washington Nationals at Nationals Park
- 1:35 p.m. ET
- TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia
- Radio: Talkradio 1210 WPHT
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