Final Score: Phillies 4, Brewers 2
While it wasn’t an especially inspiring performance for much of the night from the Philadelphia Phillies, a key defensive play and clutch hit from Alec Bohm led the team to a series-opening win over the Milwaukee Brewers Friday night.
Ranger Suárez worked out of a bases-loaded, no-out jam — started by a leadoff double from old friend Andrew McCutchen — in the top of the first inning (thanks in part to a tremendous inning-ending pick from Bohm), and was rewarded in the home half of the inning.
While a mild elbow strain continues to prevent Bryce Harper from playing in right field, the reigning National League MVP drove in Jean Segura with a double off the base of the left-center field wall to give the Phillies an early 1-0 lead:
Elbow doesn’t bother him at the plate — as you can tell. pic.twitter.com/jD3YO3mD13
— Phillies Nation (@PhilliesNation) April 23, 2022
The Brewers couldn’t get on the board in the traditional way in the top of the first inning, but found an unconventional way to do so in the third inning.
Suárez walked Brewers shortstop Willy Adames to lead off the top of the third inning, before inducing a groundout into the shift off the bat of former National League MVP Christian Yelich. Bohm — shifted from third base to second base against Yelich — elected to take the sure out at first base. The only problem is that once Adames got to second base, third base was free to take in a manner eerily similar to when Johnny Damon did it in Game 4 of the 2009 World Series:
The aforementioned mental error … ? pic.twitter.com/BeiihBP6no
— Phillies Nation (@PhilliesNation) April 23, 2022
After the game, Joe Girardi suggested that Realmuto was responsible for covering third base, though it’s pretty difficult to imagine him outrunning Adames to third base given the position he was in.
Adames would score on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Hunter Renfroe.
In the top of the seventh inning, the Brewers took a 2-1 lead on a sacrifice fly by McCutchen. While José Alvarado limited the damage in what seemed like it could be a big inning for the Brewers, he essentially extinguished a fire that he himself lit with by walking Mike Brosseau to start the inning and allowing him to advance to third base later in the inning on a wild pitch.
Entering the bottom of the eighth inning, the Phillies had just five hits and one run to show. But what was billed as one of the sport’s elite offenses before the season woke up just in the nick of time.
Harper, Nick Castellanos and Realmuto led the inning off with singles, before Aaron Ashby was able to strike Kyle Schwarber out on his final pitch of the evening. Veteran Brad Boxberger then inherited a bases-loaded, one-out scenario, and wasn’t able to escape the inning with the Brewers lead intact.
On a 2-2 count, Bohm singled into right field, plating Harper and Castellanos:
Johan Camargo stayed hot a batter later, singling to score Realmuto and give the Phillies an insurance run:
Camar-GOAT doubles the lead. pic.twitter.com/zqilJk5PMg
— Phillies Nation (@PhilliesNation) April 23, 2022
In the top of the ninth, Corey Knebel recorded his third save in as many tries, securing a series-opening win for the Phillies. Perhaps appropriately, McCutchen was struck out to end the game.
Zack Wheeler will get the ball tomorrow afternoon as the Phillies look to secure their first series victory in two weeks.
Shibe Vintage Sports Starting Pitching Performance
- Freddy Peralta, a breakout star a season ago, has struggled with his command thus far in 2022. But while Peralta did walk two batters Friday, he limited the Phillies to just three hits and one run over five frames.
- Ranger Suárez wasn’t great to open the series, but he didn’t lose the game for the Phillies either. Over 4 2/3 innings, Suárez allowed four hits, walked three batters, struck out four and surrendered one run.
Phillies Nugget Of The Game
Andrew McCutchen is 10th among all active players in bWAR, with 45.8. His current teammate, Lorenzo Cain, is 20th at 38.6. McCutchen’s former teammate, Bryce Harper, is 18th with 40.1.
Ticket IQ Next Game
- Saturday, April 23 vs. Brewers at Citizens Bank Park
- 4:05 p.m. ET
- TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia +
- Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
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