RING IT: Kyle Gibson shines, home runs power Phillies to a 4-2 win

Kyle Gibson dominated his first start of the season, as the Phillies beat the Athletics 4-2. The good vibes continued yesterday at Citizens Bank Park, from Bryce Harper’s MVP ceremony, all the way til the final pitch of the game.  

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Nick Castellanos had CBP rockin’ in the bottom of the first inning. After Bryce Harper got hit by a pitch, Castellanos stepped into the box and launched a ball to deep left center field for his first home run in a Phillies uniform to give the Fightins an early 2-0 lead.

Kyle Gibson Shines in His First Start of the Season

Gibson was acquired last year from the Texas Rangers at the trade deadline. He struggled with the Phillies in 2021 but you wouldn’t have known that by the way he pitched yesterday. Gibson finished the day with 10 strikeouts in 7 innings. He allowed just two hits, no runs and threw just 82 pitches. 

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The Phillies offense was less-explosive than it was on Opening Day but things picked back up in the bottom of the sixth inning. Rhys Hoskins hammered a baseball into the stands in left field, continuing his hot start to the 2022 MLB season. Hoskins went 2-for-3 yesterday with a walk and a RBI. On Opening Day, the Big Fella went 2-for-3 with a walk and 2 RBI.

Immediately following Hoskins’ dinger, Jean Segura stepped up to the plate and hit a no-doubter as the Phillies took a 4-0 lead into the final three innings.

Johan Camargo entered into the game in the top of the 7th for Alec Bohm, following the young third baseman getting picked off of 1st. Bohm had a great season debut, finishing 2-2 with a walk, reaching base in all three at-bats. Joe Girardi seems to be going with a rotating system at third base, with Stott in against righties, and Bohm in against lefties. 

Kyle Gibson’s day ended after the 7th inning, as Jose Alvarado entered for his first outing of the season. Alvarado was a little shaky, allowing an RBI single to Stephen Piscotty that would score Elvis Andrus.

It wouldn’t be Phillies baseball without an interesting 9th inning. Corey Knebel came in for his first save opportunity and allowed one run on a single to left-field. The Phillies’ defense came up big in the 9th, with a beautiful 6-4-3 double play to record the first two outs of the inning. 

Knebel battled through the ninth and earned his first save as a member of the Philadelphia Phillies.

Up Next

The Phillies look to open their season with a sweep, as they finish out their three-game set with the Athletics today at 1:05. Zach Eflin will get the ball for the Phils and will go up against Daulton Jefferies. 

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