The Philadelphia Phillies managed to salvage their weekend series against the Cleveland Guardians yesterday with an 8-5 win in extra innings. 

After the Phillies lost 1-0 the night before, Rob Thomson spoke with the media and said the top of the lineup needed to start hitting again if they planned on winning some baseball games. 

Yesterday was a step in the right direction. 

• Kyle Schwarber: 1-4, RBI, R, BB, K
• Trea Turner: 2-4, R, BB, K
• Bryce Harper: 1-4, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB
• Nick Castellanos: 1-5, 3 K
• JT Realmuto: 1-4, R, RBI, K 

Aaron Nola was on the mound for the Phillies and while everyone on social media continues to complain about him for whatever odd reason, Nola pitched seven strong innings, allowing six hits and three earned runs while striking out seven. 

Yesterday was far from a pretty game for the Phillies and the way they were scoring runs was certainly interesting. In the top of the first inning, JT Realmuto was at the plate with the bases loaded, and Cleveland pitcher Xzavion Curry was issued a balk which plated Bryce Harper to give the Phillies a 1-0 lead. 

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Nola then immediately coughed up two solo home runs, the first to Steven Kwan in the bottom of the first inning, and then to Andres Gimenez in the bottom of the second to give the Guardians a 2-1 lead. In the bottom of the third, Jose Ramirez extended Cleveland’s lead to 3-1 on a ground out to first base. 

Kyle Schwarber, known for his speed on the base paths, legged out an infield hit on a ground ball to first base to score Brandon Marsh. Seriously though, if Schwarber is beating you to first base on this type of hit, then someone screwed up pretty badly.

Kyle Schwarber Infield Single

The Phillies then tied the game on a Bryce Harper “hit” down the first base line.

The ball barely made it past the pitchers mound. Harper thought it was a foul ball and didn’t even run to first, while Josh Bell went home with the baseball which was then dropped by the catcher as Kyle Schwarber crossed home plate. 

Bryce Harper ties the game 3-3

In what could only be described as “poetic justice”, Brandon Marsh hit a short pop-up to left field, which landed safely in the grass between three Cleveland Guardians, allowing JT Realmuto to score and give the Phillies a 4-3 lead.

Brandon Marsh RBI single

Craig Kimbrel entered the game looking to earn the save, but coughed up a game-tying solo home run to David Fry as the Guardians sent the game into extras. 

Bryce Harper Go-Ahead RBI Single in the 10th

Alec Bohm then added a few insurance runs before Yunior Marte bailed out Jeff Hoffman in the bottom half of the inning to secure the win for the Phillies.

Phillies NL Wild Card Picture

The Phillies avoided getting swept and snapped a 4-game skid. Luckily, everyone else in the National League has also been lousy as of late.

• The San Francisco Giants have lost 5 straight games.
• The Arizona Diamondbacks have lost 4 straight games.
• The Miami Marlins are 2-8 over their last 10 games.

The Phillies return home tonight to face the Baltimore Orioles. Cristopher Sanchez (0-3, 3.06 ERA) will be on the mound facing Dean Kremer (10-4, 4.80 ERA).

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