Final Score: Phillies 6, Red Sox 1
Entering play today, the Phillies were looking to end their six-game losing streak, while also trying to avoid being swept for the second consecutive series. Over the club’s last six games, starting pitchers posted a 9.91 ERA and the offense averaged 3.5 runs per game.
With Taijuan Walker on the mound for Philadelphia, and a new lineup arrangement that moved a struggling Kyle Schwarber out of the leadoff spot, the Phillies got a much needed win behind six strong innings from Walker, along with a three-RBI performance by Schwarber.
After a quiet first three innings in which both teams were limited to one hit apiece, it was the Phillies who scored first. Bryson Stott and Trea Turner led the fourth inning off with back-to-back singles that were followed by a Bryce Harper walk.
With the bases loaded and nobody out, Nick Castellanos stepped up to the plate and grounded a ball to Boston third baseman Rafael Devers, who bobbled the ball and then tagged Turner out at third while Stott scored. That brought Schwarber to the batter’s box, who ended an 0-for-21 streak at the plate with an RBI single to put Philadelphia on top 2-0:
Boston answered back quickly in their half of the fifth inning by way of a Triston Casas home run to dead center field to cut the Phillies lead to one:
The scored stayed 2-1 until the home half of the sixth when Schwarber came to the plate with a runner on and two outs. He was facing new Red Sox pitcher Richard Bleier — who entered the game to face Schwarber — and drove a 1-0 pitch into the second deck to give the Phillies some breathing room:
After a great performance from Walker — where the veteran right-hander tossed six innings of one-run, three-hit ball with six strikeouts and no walks — manager Rob Thomson turned to his bullpen that, like the rotation, has been struggling of late.
José Alvarado was first out of the pen for Philadelphia and he pitched a scoreless seventh inning. It was then Matt Strahm — who was making his first relief appearance since being moved out of the rotation and back to the bullpen — pitching in the eighth. While delivering a scoreless inning, Strahm also struck out the side.
The Phillies added on a pair of insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth inning as J.T. Realmuto singled into left. Strahm remained in the game to pitch the ninth and closed out a win.
Shibe Vintage Sports Notes
- Trea Turner’s fourth inning single extended his hitting streak to eight games.
- The Phillies record is now 14-5 when scoring first.
- Philadelphia’s overall record is now 16-19.
Ticket IQ Next Game
- Tuesday, May 9 vs. Blue Jays at Citizens Bank Park
- 6:40 p.m. ET
- TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia
- Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
- Spanish Radio: WTTM 1680
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