Final Score: Phillies 7, Mets 5
Entering play on Aug. 1, the Phillies had only one hitter in the lineup with more than 20 home runs. Kyle Schwarber had 27 and the next closest Phillie, Nick Castellanos, had 14.
Fast forward to Sept. 23 and the Phillies have five hitters with at least 20 home runs. A day after J.T. Realmuto reached 20 home runs, Bryce Harper drove in his 20th off the second deck in right field to score the first run of the day for the Phillies.
Schwarber (45), Castellanos (28), Trea Turner (26), Realmuto (20) and Harper (20) are part of the Phillies’ 20 home run club.
A new entrant could be coming soon. Alec Bohm hit his 19th home run, a solo shot to give the Phillies a 3-2 lead in the third.
If Bohm homers again over the next seven games, it will mark the first time in franchise history the Phillies have six players with at least 20 home runs.
It’s the first time since 2009 the Phillies have five 20+ home run hitters. Ryan Howard (45), Raul Ibañez (34), Jayson Werth (36), Chase Utley (31) and Jimmy Rollins (21) all had at least 20 home runs in ’09.
The Phillies lineup has proven over the last two months that they are capable of hitting the ball out of the ballpark on a consistent basis. It’s a huge development for the Phillies’ postseason hopes. The teams that play deep into October are usually the ones that are able to hit home runs. Most of the Phillies’ key wins last October were close games decided by a clutch home run, whether it was Schwarber’s moonshot against Yu Darvish in Game 1 of the NLCS or Realmuto’s game-winning home run in the top of the 10th inning of Game 1 of the World Series.
Just to get a sense of how prolific the Phillies’ power surge has been, here are the home run totals on Aug. 1 for their current top six home run hitters and what the numbers look like today.
- Schwarber: 27 to 45
- Castellanos: 14 to 28
- Turner: 10 to 26
- Realmuto: 12 to 20
- Harper: 5 to 20
- Bohm: 10 to 19
Both teams struggled defensively in Saturday’s game. Starter Zack Wheeler allowed five runs (three earned) through seven innings, but he deserved a better line. Turner missed a potential double play ball in the second when he tried to backhand a ground ball. DJ Stewart scored from second and the speedy Ronny Mauricio followed him home from first as the Mets took advantage of a lackadaisical throw in from Schwarber in left. Turner was caught off guard by Mauricio’s turn and the throw home was not in time. The play gave the Mets a 2-0 lead.
In the seventh, Brandon Nimmo hit a fly ball to center. Johan Rojas took a step in, but the ball sailed way over his head. Two runs scored on the play and Nimmo later scored on a sacrifice fly to make it 6-5 Phillies.
But the Phillies took advantage of some defensive miscues a half inning later. Realmuto reached on an uncharacteristic error by Gold Glove shortstop Francisco Lindor. Castellanos drove him home on a play scored a triple after left fielder Jeff McNeil could not keep the ball in front of him.
Much of the sloppiness on Saturday can be attributed to the strong winds and rainy conditions earlier in the day.
Gregory Soto walked one and struck out two over a scoreless eighth inning. José Alvarado retired the Mets 1-2-3 to close out the game.
The Phillies’ magic number to clinch a postseason berth is down to 2, setting up a clinching scenario with a Phillies win and Marlins loss on Sunday.
Ticket IQ Next Game
- Sunday Sept. 24 vs. New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park
- 1:05 p.m. EST
- NBC Sports Philadelphia; MLB Network
- Sportsradio 94 WIP
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