Matt Strahm’s fantastic start continues in win over Mariners

Final Score: Phillies 1, Mariners 0

Matt Strahm’s excellent start to the season continued on Thursday in the Phillies’ series-clinching win over the Seattle Mariners. He struck out five Mariners hitters over 5 1/3 shutout innings, lowering his ERA on the season from 3.00 to 2.31.

The Phillies went 5-2 on the seven-game homestand and are .500 for the first time this season at 13-13.

While Rob Thomson did say during the pregame meeting that Strahm would be good for 85-90 pitches, the lefty was pulled after just 60 pitches. Thomson said he didn’t want Strahm facing the Mariners order the third time through. He wanted one of his best righties, Seranthony Domínguez, facing one of the best hitters in the game in Rodríguez.

“A lot of times, 80 pitches will get you to the third time through,” Thomson said after the game. “He was pretty efficient today. He got quick outs, so his pitch count was low when we got to the spot.”

Either way, Strahm was fantastic and the relievers that followed him were also solid. Seranthony Domínguez, Connor Brogdon, Gregory Soto and Craig Kimbrel combined to throw 4 2/3 shutout innings to close out the narrow 1-0 victory.

“Being out there myself for most of my career, I know how hard it is to be locked in everyday, how big of a mental drain it is on you,” Strahm said. “Just tip your cap to them for how nails they’ve been for us.”

The Phillies took the lead in the second on a Kody Clemens RBI single. Nick Castellanos scored all the way from third base to give the Phillies a 1-0 lead. It’s all they could manage off M’s starter George Kirby, who gets the loss despite throwing an eight-inning complete game.

Philadelphia will head out to Houston for a World Series rematch against the Astros.

Shibe Vintage Sports Notes

• 31,543 were in attendance at Citizens Bank Park for Thursday’s game.
• Brandon Marsh’s career-long on-base streak ended on Thursday at 21.
• Per the Phillies, Strahm is the first Phillies pitcher this year to throw at least five innings and allow two or fewer hits in a start. Phillies starters had 13 such outings last season.

The Phillies and Mariners just played a 9-inning game in 2 hours, 4 minutes

Fastest nine-inning game at Citizens Bank Park since a Padres-Phillies game on June 5, 2010

That one was 2:02, Jamie Moyer vs. Jon Garland.

The only other game faster than this one: 8?16/06 – also 2:02

— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) April 27, 2023

Ticket IQ Next Game

• Friday, April 28 vs. Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park
• 8:10 p.m.
• Streaming: Apple TV+
• Radio: Sportsradio 94 WIP

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