Phillies win fourth straight game with 2-1 victory in extra innings over Pirates
The Phillies beat the Pirates in extra innings for the second consecutive night when Didi Gregorius scored on a throwing error by Pirates first basemen Michael Chavis giving his team a 2-1 victory.
Phillies (54-47) Beat Pirates (40-61)
- Winning Pitcher: Corey Knebel (3-5, 2.59)
- Losing Pitcher: Yerry De Los Santos (0-3, 2.91)
- Save: n/a
That’s now four straight victories for the Phils and I have to say that playing shitty teams like the Pirates is very enjoyable. This team is far from perfect right now, but the pitching is giving them a chance to win and they are taking advantage against sub par competition.
Between the throwing error by Michael Chavis and the bonehead base running decision by Oneil Cruz that led to him getting picked off by Corey Knebel, the Pirates essentially handed the Phillies the victory in both halves of the 10th inning.
Ranger Suarez didn’t pick up the win tonight, but he was fantastic over 6 innings of 3-hit ball. It was Suarez’s third straight start without allowing an earned run, as he struck out 8 hitters and allowed only one walk while lowering his ERA to 3.60.
Suarez didn’t come back out for the 7th inning despite having only thrown 84 pitches. Jose Alvarado took the bump and promptly allowed a solo home run to Cal Mitchell to tie up the ball game at 1-1. It was the only run the Phillies bullpen would allow as Andrew Bellatti and Corey Knebel both looked extremely sharp over 3 combined innings of relief, allowing no hits and striking out five.
JT Realmuto scored the other Phillies run with an opposite field home run off Pirates starting pitcher Mitch Keller in the 6th inning. The Phils offense continued its recent woes, managing only six hits on the night while going 0-9 with runners in scoring position.
Alec Bohm went 0-4 to end his NL leading 14-game hitting streak and lower his batting average in July to .433. Bohm’s 2 home runs and 13 RBI in the month have been a big reason the Phillies haven’t floundered without Bryce Harper.
In off the field news, the Phillies made a trade today, acquiring utility infielder Edmundo Sosas from the St Louis Cardinals in exchange for AAA pitcher JoJo Romero.
Ranger Suarez was outstanding tonight and notched his 8th strikeout in only 5 innings with this punch out of Pirates catcher Jaosn Delay.
JT Realmuto takes Pirates starting pitcher Mitch Keller deep to the opposite field to puts the Phils on the board in the 6th inning.
1-0 Phils
Alec Bohm makes a fine defensive play by getting the runner at home for the second out of the 6th inning.
Jose Alvarado gives up a solo shot to Cal Mitchell on a 2-0, 99 mph fastball to tie the game up for the Pirates in the 7th inning.
1-1 Phils
In the 10th inning, Matt Vierling grounds out to Pirates first basemen Michael Chavis who throws the ball away attempting to get the lead runner at third base. Didi Gregorius easily scores to put the Phils ahead.
2-1 Phils
Rhys Hoskins gets picked off at first base to end the top of the 10th inning.
Corey Knebel picks off the sleeping Oneil Cruz at second base to empty the bases and decrease the threat in the bottom of the 10th inning. Wow, that was awful!
Didi Gregorius makes a great diving effort and throw to first base to get a huge second out in the bottom of the 10th inning for Corey Knebel.
Up Next for the Phillies
The Phillies take on the cross-state rival Pittsburgh Pirates in the final game of a four game series.
Aaron Nola (6-8, 3.32) will toe the rubber facing off against JT Brubaker (2-8, 3.96) with the first pitch scheduled for 1:35 pm.
NBC Sports Philadelphia will carry the broadcast of the game.
Mandatory Photo Credit: Philadelphia Phillies
