Phillies walk it off in 10th inning to snap 5-game losing streak
Matt Vierling’s walk-off RBI single in the bottom of the 10th inning pushed the Phillies past the Blue Jays 4-3, snapping their 5-game losing streak.
Phillies (81-67) Beat Blue Jays (84-65)
- Winning Pitcher: Andrew Bellatti (4-3, 3.24)
- Losing Pitcher: Adam Cimber (10-6, 3.13)
- Save:
Matt Vierling was an impressive 5-5, including the game winning RBI single in the bottom of the 10th with the bases loaded to rally the Phillies past the Blue Jays on a wild Wednesday night. The wild walk-off celebration left Vierling shirtless in front of more than 30,000 thousand fans, who had stayed well into the night despite the Phillies offensive woes and having eaten 5 dollar hot dogs each.
While it’s just one victory in an 162-game season, for the Phillies it was immensely important. Not just because they are in a tight playoff race, but because for the last week the atmosphere surround the team has seemed to lack a heartbeat.
I must admit that I had given up all hope for this season after Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit that 3-run home run in the 8th inning to give the Blue Jays the lead. You could see the writing on the wall; The Phillies were about to drop their 6th straight game and put their grip on a playoff spot in grave danger.
Even worse, it appeared like they would be shutout offensively, the exact opposite of how they lost the night before when the pitching staff gave up a whopping 18 runs.
But then JT Realmuto, who appears unquestionably to be the Phillies team leader and emotional spark plug, homered in the 8th inning to finally put his team on the score board. From that moment it was like the weight of the world had been lifted from the Phillies dugout.
Dalton Guthrie and Kyle Schwarber added two more runs in the inning with RBI singles, that latter coming off Blue Jays closer Jordan Romano, who was brought in early to stop the bleeding. In the 10th inning a perfect bunt by the other Phillies rookie, Bryson Stott, moved the opening runner to 3rd base and set up the eventual Matt Vierling walk-off game winner.
After missing exactly a month of action, Wheeler looked like he hadn’t missed a beat. On a strict pitch limit, Wheeler tossed 4 scoreless inning allowing only 2 hits while striking out 3 Jays hitters. In his month away from the team, it’s become perfectly clear that Wheeler is the only starter the Phillies can trust to take the ball in a big game.
Tonight was a game that playoff caliber teams find a way to win. The Phillies fought back and in doing so may have turned around the entire course of their season.
RING IT!
Zack Wheeler strikes out Raimel Tapia to end the 2nd inning.
Zack Wheeler’s strikes out Vladdy Guerrero Jr for the first out in the 4th inning.
Bryce Harper grounds out weakly to Kevin Gausman with the bases loaded in the 5th inning.
Noah Syndergaard forces Alejandro Kirk into a double play to work his way out of trouble in the 6th inning.
Jose Alvarado strikes out Teoscar Hernandez in a clean 7th inning of relief. Were still scoreless!
Bryson Stott fails to make the short toss to Jean Segura at second base. The lead runner advances to third base and George Springer is safe at first.
Seranthony Dominguez serves up a fastball and Vlad Guerrero Jr drives it out of the park for a three run home run. Pain!
3-0 Jays
JT Realmuto puts the Phils on the board with a solo home run in the 8th inning. Finally!
3-1 Jays
Dalton Guthrie cuts the Blue Jays lead to one run with an RBI double in the 8th inning.
3-2 Blue Jays
Kyle Schwarber ties the game up with an RBI single off Jays closer Jordan Romano. YESSSSSS!
3-3 Phils!!!!
Bryson Stott makes up for his previous error by turning a big double play in the 9th inning.
Jean Segura saves a run with a heads up double play in extra innings to bail out Andrew Bellatti.
Matt Vierling wins the game with his fifth hit of the night, an RBI single to snap the Phillies 5-game losing streak. YESSSSSSSSSSS!!!
PHILS WIN 4-3!!!!!
Up Next for the Phillies
The Phillies host the Atlanta Braves on Thursday night in the first game of a four game series at Citizens Bank Park.
Ranger Suarez (9-5, 3.53) will toe the rubber facing off against Max Fried (13-6, 2.52) with the first pitch scheduled for 7:15 pm.
NBC Sports Philadelphia will carry the broadcast of the game.
Mandatory Photo Credit: Philadelphia Phillies
